Daring Faith: Embracing the Unknown in God’s Plan

Zechariah 4-6; Revelation 17; Lamentations 1

Has the Lord ever compelled you to step out in great faith? Then you know it’s terrifying. There’s nothing quite like stepping out of the boat and onto nothing but water. There’s nothing reasonable about stepping out of that boat.

The Lord calls us into the unknown, and all of it, every step in fact, will defy logic.

Let’s look at the reading from today:

Zechariah 4
7 “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.”

Zerubbabel was called to step out in faith to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. He faced opposition from neighboring peoples, political and administrative hurdles, economic hardships, internal disunity and disillusionment, as well as spiritual and religious struggles, and logistical challenges. It’s amazing to me that the prophetic word of the Lord to Zerubbabel is that he will know the Lord is with him when he finally completes the Temple.

I don’t know about you, but I would be tempted to ask for another sign! Like, what? So, I’ll know you are really with me when all of the word has come to pass? I want to know you are with me before I start, and as I go, not just when it’s complete. Can you relate?

It reminds me of a similar dealing God has with Moses:

Exodus 3
10 “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Here’s that same theme again. You will know that I have sent you when you’ve accomplished this impossible thing I’m sending you to do.

And it’s true! We want to feel secure before we step out. We want to be certain on the water. And that’s not how faith works.

Could it be that that’s what the Lord is saying? He’s saying, “Follow me. Just follow me. And I will lead you all the way through. The certainty you crave and need only comes at the end of the journey. Because what I’m trying to teach you is that I’m the only thing you need. I am your certainty.”

I don’t know what the Lord is calling you into, but I know this: your answer should be “Yes, send me.” Don’t be afraid. Step out. Keep your eyes on Him, and watch Him make a way where there was no way.

Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what were the outcomes?
2. Consider the metaphor of stepping out of the boat onto water. What does this image evoke in you personally about faith and trust in God?
3. In what areas of your life are you seeking certainty before obedience? How can you shift towards trusting God’s presence and promise instead?
4. Zechariah 4 speaks to overcoming great obstacles with divine assistance. Write about a “mountain” in your life that seems insurmountable. How can applying faith reshape your perspective on this challenge?
5. Meditate on the concept of being “sent by God” as Moses was. What mission do you feel God might be sending you on today, and how can you prepare your heart to embrace it fully?

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