Faith In The Wisdom And Power Of God

Hebrews 11:32-40

There is an old saying, “What man can conceive, man can achieve.” It is widely accepted and believed that man can do anything he puts his mind to. While I do not believe we have attained nearly what can be done. I do believe that man is subject to certain natural principles that limit what is possible. As a result, I believe tha better statement would be “what man can conceive, man will attempt.” As our understanding of those natural laws, established by God grows, we are able to do things that seemed impossible before. We are still confined by those laws or principles. Faith in our abilities will not enable us to exceed those limits.

As creator, God established those principles. Since he is outside the system, he is able to act outside those limits. In our example of the model train, the actions of the model train, and the cattle loading chute were controlled by certain mechanical principles. However something outside, the person who set up the train could do things the model could not. For example, he could take the plastic cow away so that no cow loaded on the train. He could also turn the engine around so that the mechanisms did not stop the train or activate the loading chute. Shutting off the power completely stopped everything. The train, the loading chute, and other things governed by those mechanical devices could not change the limits, but the person who set it up could.

Having established the governing principles of the world, God is able to change them at will. Like the boy setting up the model, he will not change the functions except when it is needed to meet his specific goals, he will leave the basic operation alone, but perhaps he wants to haul a car instead of cows. Then he will change what is needed to accomplish tat goal. God has that same capability with our world. Look at Jesus’ statement in Luke 18:27. “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” In Luke 1:37, he stated “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” We are governed and limited by those natural principles. God is not. As a result, he can perform miracles at will to accomplish his purpose. It would not be possible to identify all the times he has intervened.

“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:32-34”

He only intervenes when it is needed to accomplish his purpose. He does not miraculously intervene just to please our desires. Some have taught that if we ask God for something he is obligated to give it. There are some restrictions. John 14:13-14 tells us, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” As a plumber. I was authorized to buy things in the company’s name. That does not mean I was authorized to buy everything I wanted, but just the things applicable to doing my job. I could buy needed materials for that job, but not ones for some job that the company had not authorized. The same principle applies to praying in Jesus name. It is not simple a matter of saying “in Jesus name.” I John 5:14-15 reiterates the idea. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Real faith recognizes that our short term desires may be incompatible with the long term fulfillment of God’s promises, and accepts his allowing things we would prefer to avoid believing that he is acting for our long term good. While some see miraculous results immediately, others may not see the results in this life, experiencing great suffering instead. The author refers to these examples as well.

“Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11:35-38)

It was not a lack of faith preventing them from receiving their desires, but the greatness of their faith enabling them to continue when their desires were not met. Their faith was so strong they could face such problems. Everyone of those Old Testament saints died without seeing what they were hoping for, despite their faith.

“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40)

God had planned for more than just deferring the penalty for sins. Had he given the Jews their desire for their country, they would never have followed God’s plan in crucifying Christ, nor would other nations have been involved, giving the gentiles access. It was the Jew’s rebellion and punishment that helped set the stage for Christ’s coming. It was necessary that some things not go according to the saints short term desires. Peter advises us that the same is true in our day.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (I Peter 4:12-13)