Speaking and Acting with Faith

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 8:47 pm Post subject: Speaking and Acting with Faith

Speaking and Acting with Faith

Scripture:

For Sion' s sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her savior be lighted as a lamp. And the Gentiles shall see your just one, and all kings your glorious one: and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. And you shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be called Forsaken: and your land shall no more be called Desolate: but you shall be called my pleasure in her, and your land inhabited. Because the Lord has been well pleased with you: and your land shall be inhabited. For the young man shall dwell with the virgin, and your children shall dwell in you. And the bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride, and your God shall rejoice over you.
(Isaiah 62:1-5)

Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; and there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who works all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches. But all these things one and the same Spirit works, dividing to every one according as he will.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus said to him: They have no wine. And Jesus said to her: Woman, what is that to me and to you? My hour is not yet come. His mother said to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do.

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus said to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus said to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward called the bridegroom, and said to him: Every man at first sets forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
(John 2:6-11)

Reflection:

Silence in the face of injustice enables evil. Where there is corruption, voices must rise to draw attention, else the evil will continue, fester, and become emboldened. Where there is good, voices must rise as well to encourage the work which brings it forth.

In the realm of social discourse, we are tempted to silence so that we might be accepted or to parrot the words of the powerful so they might have favor upon us. This is well and good for academic or personal matters, or perhaps to prevent offense, but we must not fall into such traps in relation to moral matters of what is right and just. To remain silent in the face of evil is to enable it. It is better to suffer the persecution of the world than to trade away our soul for a moment of worldly acceptance. (cf. Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 21:12-19)

As we lift up our voices, though, we must remember we are called to humility, civility, compassion, and caring. We must allow the Holy Spirit to guide our words and our demeanor. (cf. Mark 13:11, 1 Peter 3:9-17) As we hold evil to account, let us remember the dignity of our faith and encourage all which is good. We must remember too, we are called to truth and directed away from bearing false witness.

As we approach those who surround us, we must remember the love to which we are called. (cf. Matthew 22:36-40, John 13:34) We must remember our conduct represents our faith. Our strength is found within the wisdom of God and the love which He calls us to share. The emotions of evil do nothing to build us up, only the grace, mercy, and love which comes from God.

To each of us, He has bestowed something special for a purpose designed to accomplish His will. The choice as to whether we will put our gifts and talents to His purpose He has left to us. We should not walk away from His call lightly, for though we may gain a moment of personal desire or avoid a moment of persecution, when we turn from Him, we also turn away from His eternal blessings.

As we look at the trials and tribulations which surround us, we are tempted to wonder, what can we possibly do? We do not have the power of miracles, or do we? If we invite God to work through us, we may be limited by our earthly form, but if we trust in Him, He will lead us and enable us to accomplish what would ordinarily be beyond us.

If we allow our faith to enable us, the miracle of faith will work through us. Let us, then, not look to our desires, but to those of God. Let us open our hearts so that He might guide our lips and our hands. Let us allow Him to work miracles through us as we join our hands with others in faith.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we draw attention to the blessings of faith and that which is right and just?

What gifts has God placed within us and to what purpose may they be put so His will may be done?

In what ways may we share the blessings of faith to help bring forth miracles of faith?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier