The Paradox of Our Faith

Title :	The Paradox of Our Faith
Preacher :	Dr. 'Tunde Bakare
Main Text: Psalms 73:1-28 It is unfortunate that the other side of our faith, that is, the paradox, is not being given adequate attention and emphasis as we do with the positive side of our Christian experience. That is, when things do not add up as we expect, when God does not appear to make sense to us, especially during hardship, adverse circumstance, and seemingly overwhelming and daunting situation, when we are confronted by inconceivable happenings, you would not find a billboard that advertises the paradox of our faith. We only advertise the Jesus that saves, delivers, sets free, baptises in the Holy Spirit, prospers, heals, blesses, and gives answers and solution to all and every problem that confronts man on the face of the earth. Though those things are true, the other side of our faith is when God does not appear to make sense to us in our negative situation. As a believer, it is high time you settled it in your mind that when it appears that God is doing nothing about your situation God is actually doing something. In other words, when it appears that nothing is happening, something is actually happening. When you lay hold on the promises of God as regard to your situation and circumstances, but it seems nothing is happening, you need to believe that something is really happening. These things must be settled in your spirit because we do not know everything about our great God. We do understand that God brought His people out of Egypt with a high and mighty hand; however, it is beyond our comprehension to grasp the wisdom of the same God who saved His people with such great arm could lead them to the place where it appeared that they would be sandwiched by the red sea and the great army of insubordinate and cruel Pharaoh. At that moment, the children ofIsrael cried out to Moses for help because it appeared that the God who brought them out of Egypt had gone on vacation. However, their belief and perception of God were proved wrong by the unprecedented breakthrough which God demonstrated. Brethren, when it appears God is doing nothing about your problem, let it be settled in your spirit without any whit or iota of doubt that He is actually working behind the scene on your behalf and in your favour, you may not understand though. One would have thought that God would come to the aid of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and show Himself strong on their behalf before they were wrapped and thrown into the burning fiery furnace having showcased their undaunted faith and gritty determination by defying the order of the ferocious king Nebuchadnezzar. It did not appear that God was doing something when those devout men were being enwrapped. It appeared that the end had come for them. But the truth of the matter was that God was doing something and He showed forth Himself very strong on their behalf and delivered them with a great arm – (Daniel 3:1-30). Daniel’s case also epitomised the paradox of our faith. Daniel did not find it funny when he was being thrown into the lion’s den for defying the decree of the king. As far as the king and his people were concerned, God was not doing anything; He was actually doing something though. Brethren, no matter the degree of your pain and grief, when it appears that God is doing nothing, He is working the best out of your situation. He may not show up when you expect; He will definitely show up at the best time because He is God but we are not. He is the only One that knows all things and can do all things – (Daniel 6:1-28). No one could have thought that Mordecai would escape the death sentence that was hung on him and the impending massacre on the Jews. Although Mordecai believed God, neither him nor Esther was aware that God was doing something behind the scene in their favour. It appeared God was not doing anything to save him and his people from the king’s death sentence and decree; what He did turned out to be the best. Brethren, you may not know how God would do it, but when He appears, it will surely be the best solution. Be encouraged and do not let your pain becloud your reasoning. Do not let your pain and grief magnify your problem more than God. Never assume that God’s silence or His apparent inactivity is evidence of His disinterest. He is interested in you to show forth His glory and praise – (Esther 4-8). It does not mean that our prayers are not being heard when something contrary to our prayers happens to us. It does not mean that we are not being heard if our prayers do not bring immediate relief; it simply means God has another plan. If you base your conviction on your feelings when your prayer does not bring immediate relief, you may end up serving other gods. If you base your conviction on your emotions, when things do not go the way you think, you may curse God in your heart. Rather, let your conviction be based upon the written word of God because He has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you. God is too faithful to abandon His own in their pain. There is greater reason why He allows or permits whatever happens to you to happen. Your flesh may be crying under the anguish and agony of pain, but the truth of the matter is this: there is no place in the entire Bible where God has failed at one point or another. – Psalms 139:7-10; Isaiah 49:15-17; 1 Peters 3:12. Brethren, do not quit praying. That is what the enemy wants to accomplish. When you stop praying, you start entertaining all kinds of thoughts: you allege that God has failed you; you allege and confirm that your problem is bigger than God; consequently, you are overwhelmed that your problem has overcome you. Brethren, you need to know that you are more than a conqueror. There is a victory in you that overcomes the world — your faith. Consider Job and the end intended by God. What he went through was nothing but a paradox of our faith. When it appears that God is silent, He has an end intended on His mind. He has a better plan for you — His compassion and mercy are kissing each other over your life, and the world will glorify God on your be half.
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