Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

I heard a story about a pastor from Colorado Springs who lives at the foot of Pike’s Peak with his family. Now Pike’s Peak stands majestically along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. The Peak is nearly always visible but there are days when the clouds hang low, and the majestic peak is hidden. One day, the pastor’s young son ventured outside and could not see The Peak.  He turned to his father and said, “Dad, isn’t it strange, I can’t see The Peak.” His father replied, “Remember son, even when the clouds hide the beauty of the mountains…the mountains are still there, and that is what makes the difference.” That is faith.

 I have always found the narrative of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 to be very challenging.  These ancient heroes of the Christian faith died before receiving what they had been promised, and yet they held on to faith (Hebrews 11:13).   Sometimes in life we experience setbacks that completely overwhelm us and make us feel separated from God.  It is during these times, when we cannot see or feel God, when the fog of despair and doubt is thick, that we are encouraged to exercise childlike faith. As the writer of the Book of Hebrews states: “…faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Just think about this: When Noah began to build the ark, he faced a barrage of ridicule and insults from his neighbors, and yet he knew that God was still there.  As the prophet Elijah cowered in the wilderness in fear of Jezebel, he knew God was still there. As Daniel knelt in the lion’s Den with no route of escape, he knew God was still there. As Hannah hunched over in prayer in the temple burdened by humiliation, grief, and the deep desire to be a mother, she knew that God was still there. As Job wrestled with the unimaginable loss that befell him, he knew God was still there.  As Paul, under persecution by the Roman government contemplated his fate in prison, he knew God was still there. And as Jesus travailed in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion, completely deserted by his disciples who had fallen asleep, he knew that God was still there.  Our situations may be different from these, yet faith calls us to embrace this eternal hope and acknowledge that our God is still there, because in truth, he is.  There is no situation that God cannot reach.

Today, as we reflect on the overwhelming and often fluid circumstances of our lives, our nation, and our world; when we feel spiritually, emotionally, and mentally exhausted from it all, faith in God is the only antidote.  He is our hiding place and despite the clouds that hide his beauty, we must be certain that he is still there. That’s what makes the difference. AMEN.