More than once Ronald Reagan said in relationship to our relationship with the USSR, “Trust, but verify.” After repeating it at the signing of the INF Treaty Mikhail Gorbachev responded, “You repeat that at every meeting.” President Reagan said, “I like it.” Me to.
I especially like it in our relationship with God. Over and over God expects us to trust Him but He does not expect us to do so without some personal verification. Hebrews 11 says, “Faith is the substance of things unseen.” Please note even though unseen there is substance. When Jesus called Peter, James, John and Andrew to follow Him, He had just filled their nets with fish. He was saying I know you have family responsibilities. Follow me and those obligations will be met. Earlier He said to them, “Come and see.”
God does not expect blind faith. God gave us minds to use and He expects us to verify. He does not want us to follow just anyone or anything because we have some unverified trust. God backs up His word with evidence. However, He always leaves that last little bit that is sometimes called “a leap of faith.” While I love the song “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so,” I also realize that is for children. Paul says, “Now that I am a man I think like a man.” Men, big people, are tasked to give a reason for our faith. Peter wrote, “Always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you.”
We are not the blind following the blind. We trust but being the big people that we are we verify.
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 19, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org