Today I would like to consider the issue of how we view God and how this can profoundly affect our faith. How our perspective of God can impact our expectation of God. I am currently in the process of completing a book on theological balance. My study in this area has lead me to conclude that our theology totally informs our worldview. How we understand God affects our attitude, it can ultimately define the kind of person we become. Now God is God, He is unchanging in His character and ways; however, the problem lies many times not with God, but with our perception of who God is.
Jesus, in his teaching and ministry, was many times at work challenging the thinking of His day. Challenging the people to see God differently. It was Jesus who dared to call God ‘Father’ who dared to suggest it was possible to have a vital, intimate two way relationship with God. Now of course, He was the Son of God and his relationship was special as the third Person of the Trinity, but He was also teaching all of us that it was possible to have the same kind of relationship with God that He did.
I love the story of the persistent widow and the unjust judge found in Luke 18:1-8. This is where Jesus shows us how we should always pray and never give up. He gives the story of the widow who persisted with the unjust judge. Jesus is painting this picture of an unjust judge in this parable because He is trying to show the disciples what God is not like.
The bible says in Numbers 23:19 (a) that “God is not a man that He should lie and the son of man that he should change His mind.” God is not like we think He is. Unfortunately we live in a fallen world where our dealing with our fellow human beings can leave us feeling jaded, scarred and cynical about the faithfulness and promises of others. But the Bible is clear; God isn’t like our perception or human expectation.
In Luke 18 Jesus is making a statement about God’s character. He says in verses 6-8, “And the Lord said ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth.”
Jesus’ parable presents a stark contrast; comparing a corrupt, stubborn, unjust judge relenting due to the persistence of the widow and God Almighty, the great Judge of all; who’s character is perfect and impeccable, who respond quickly and justly. He is saying God is the opposite of everything the unjust judge stands for and yet, Jesus is driving home a point. He is at work to get the people to to understand that that they have been seeing God the wrong way.
He is challenging their perspective of God because He desires to build their faith. He says ‘when the Son of man comes will he find faith on the earth?’ Now the enemy is always at work to do the opposite. His strategy is to get you and me and everyone to blame God for everything bad that happens in this world. He is the great accuser of God and the brethren. (Rev 12:10)
When we go through difficult times the enemy is at work to put a wedge between us and God; trying to twist our image of God; trying to get us to believe things about God’s character that are just not true. The enemy knows that if he can corrupt your perspective, you will never be effective in the Kingdom of God.
Today, maybe you are tempted, because of something you have been through, to adjust your perspective of God. Maybe you have become cynical in your expectation of God, because of things you’ve experienced. Today I want to encourage you to wipe the slate clean. Your past does not define your future.
The Bible says in Isaiah 43:18-19a “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past, see I am doing a new thing.” Today you can decide to forget the past and believe God for a brand new future! God is not who the world says He is, He is not who the devil says He is, He is a just Judge, loving Father. Keep your faith and expectation high in His unchanging character. Our Father, God, is looking for faith on the earth. He’s looking for people who like Sarah judged God faithful (Hebrews 11:1).
Maybe today your faith has been knocked around by life’s trials. I’m believing and trusting God for a great refreshing wave of faith to come and wash over you today. That God would revive your faith in His perfect and unchanging character. I’m believing as your faith, is strengthened and renewed you will see wonderful miracles, breakthroughs, and the intervention of God in your life!
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