“I believe, I believe; I know it’s silly, but I believe.” (Susan from “Miracle on 34th Street”) Macy’s had a holiday campaign based on “Believe” with the “magic of Macy’s” as it’s premise. President Obama said in an interview with Barbara Walters: “I believe that the worst of this recession and crisis is behind us, I think better days are coming, but we’re not there yet. I want the American people to have confidence in themselves and in the ability of Amerca to remake itself.”
What does the word "believe" mean? The dictionary gives some definitions: accept as true; feel sure of the truth; feel sure that someone is capable of a particular action; to have confidence in the truth, existence or reliability of something. There are more but what confidence can we have, really, without something to back it up. There is no real reliability without evidence. Where is the foundation of that belief that can really give us hope and security? I believe my mechanic can repair my car. Reason? He’s done it before and that’s why I continue to use him after fifteen to twenty years. He is “capable” of that “particular action”. If you do a search on “believe”, it has become a very popular word. And it’s thrown out there with no substance, foundation, or truth. People rally to it because it makes them “feel” better. They have it tattooed in various places on their bodies, hang it as art on their walls and write it in beautiful letters to adorn their department stores. But it is only “fluff and nonsense” without a foundation for truth.
Jesus told His disciples “not to let their hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” People don’t want to be troubled and the word “believe” gives them some hope. However, there’s substance to the word when Jesus says it. He goes on to say, “Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you…” (When Jesus says “truly” two times, I’d say we need to perk up and listen.) He says, “…he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also”. And one more thing in this great chapter from the book of John, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.” Jesus said it, told us to look at the works that He did and revealed things that were to happen. I’d call that true evidence that gives real confidence!
John Owen: “A sense of God’s presence in love is sufficient to rebuke all anxiety and fears; and not only so but to give in the midst of them solid consolation and joy.” John MacArthur: “The Christian faith is neither a blind, irrational “leap in the dark” nor a vague, mystical faith in faith itself. It rests on the solid ground of overwhelming evidence.” Notice the word “solid” in both quotes. That word denotes true security based on a firm foundation.
“Miracle on 34th Street” is a fantasy, fun but fluffy. Macy’s campaign is definitely a “leap in the dark, vague and mystical”. And Obama has no idea what the future holds, and no foundation for saying that “Americans are to have confidence in themselves”. But we as true believers in Jesus Christ have a Book full of evidences declared and delivered. He says, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” Our only confidence and peace in believing comes from trusting Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The evidence is overwhelming as John MacArthur says. We have only to seek and find, listen and learn, rest and rejoice!
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