Monday, May 6, 2019


Crazy Faith
By Susan Klein

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.”  Hebrews 11:32-34 (NIV)


Imagine a famous speaker/physician is coming to your town. He is meeting with some dignitaries and influential leaders in one of their homes. You’ve heard amazing things about this man! You believe in your heart that he can cure your brother who is terminally ill, but you’ve not been invited to the event. After discussing the matter, you and a few friends decide to go to the home where he is speaking, determined to somehow get your brother in to see him.

As you arrive, you see others have had the same thought. People are lined up out the door and down the street in hopes of seeing this great man. No one is getting near the house and some are hopelessly turning around to leave. Refusing to be discouraged, you formulate a plan. It is a crazy plan - - involving property damage and trespassing. It could get you imprisoned, but your faith in this man is so strong you are willing to risk everything. Sound familiar?

In Mark chapter 2, we read of some men who did just this. Cutting a hole in the roof of a home, they lowered their paralyzed friend through the opening to be healed by Jesus. That, my friends, is crazy faith! That is belief without excuse - - trust without question. That is the type of faith that we see God honor throughout Scripture.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t play it safe when they refused to bow down to the king! Even when threatened with a fiery furnace, they exercised crazy faith, confidently proclaiming their God would rescue them. The woman with the bleeding disorder demonstrated crazy faith by believing that she’d be healed just by touching the hem of Jesus’ robe. And let’s not forget Abraham! He was willing to kill his own son… But only because he had crazy faith that God would provide a different sacrifice instead.

What would it look like for you to exercise crazy faith? How much risk might you take in order to demonstrate your faith in the One who can do the impossible? Do you believe God can act in your situation, or do you believe He will?


GOING DEEPER:
1. Become familiar with the faith heroes in God’s Word.
2. Get risky in your faith!

FURTHER READING:

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.