"As If"
Read Ezekiel 37:1-10
[The father of the boy who was possessed by a spirit] exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
-Mark 9:24 (NIV)
GOD set the prophet Ezekiel before a valley filled with dry bones and commanded him to prophesy to those bones. I can imagine the thoughts whirling through Ezekiel's mind; he probably felt a bit foolish. Nevertheless, as if he believed his dry-bones audience could hear him, Ezekiel obeyed God's command. And, as he continued to prophesy, the dry bones became real, living people.
I wonder how often pastors feel they are preaching to closed ears and dry bones? Yet, they continue to preach.
What of the Sunday school teacher who stands before her class of squirmy, giggling children and despairs of holding their attention? She tamps down her doubts and teaches the lesson as if she knows it will bear fruit.
Likewise, parents rearing rebellious teenagers may doubt their ultimate success. But they doggedly persevere as if they believe in a positive outcome.
I have concluded that, like Ezekiel, we must constantly remind ourselves to live and act as if we have faith, until our faith grows stronger.
Doris L. Mueller (Missouri, U.S.A.)
O Lord, teach us to persevere in faith and to trust you for the outcome. Amen.
Even when faithful living seems hopeless, live faithfully anyway.
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For faith to persevere
