SOAP Notes

The newest installment in the SOAP Notes series...

February 5, 2008
Ex 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

S: Exodus 40:34-38
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.

O: After Moses completed the tabernacle according to God’s instruction, God’s presence became manifest and dwelled in a literal and obvious sense among His people.

A: How awesome would it be to experience God’s presence in a visceral, obvious, undeniable way? How reassuring would it be to be able to point at a cloud too brilliant to approach (by day) or a fire that burned but did not consume (by night) and say “there’s my proof right there.” What wonders such certainty and such clarity would do for my walk.

Of course I, like everyone, wonder why God leaves so much to faith. And, of course, I, like many others, have been taught the concept of faith as being founded on belief. If God made it clear for me, why would I need faith? How much greater it is for me to be able to develop my faith in this setting of uncertainty.

Sometimes I wonder at a God that requires such faith. I think of the ways He acted for others, making Himself so clear and so obvious and not requiring them to step forth in such mystery. I think of the disciples who walked with Jesus and saw Him do His miracles from place to place. Why, I wonder, does God obscure Himself today?

Selfishly, I think that if only God would do more, I could do less. It would be easier to live a life for Jesus if I could see Him. It would be easier to be a witness for Him if I could point to Him, say “there He is” and “watch Him do His tricks.” It would be easier to step forward faithfully if the need for faith didn’t get in my way.

But I realize that the need for faith serves a larger function. Regardless of how God has manifest Himself to others, God has a reason for requiring faith of me. Faith takes me out of my own comfort zone, forces me to step into uncertainty, requires me to rely on something beyond myself. Faith pulls growth out of me, and forges character in me, that otherwise couldn’t happen. The stretching that goes into a faith-based existence is the stretching that helps me to become everything I can, and should, be.

It doesn’t make things any easier to have these realizations. It simply removes a level of frustration and mystification that I have this cross to bear. If only I could keep my focus on these truths when I don’t have signs and wonders to look upon.

P: Lord, it’s so easy not to keep the faith. When You aren’t obviously there, when I can’t see You or feel You or otherwise sense You, it is so easy to deny you and to retreat into myself. Help me to step out in faith, to grow in faith, and to live in a steadfast faith in You. Amen.