How Well Do You Believe?

The setting is the City of Philippi. At that time it was a Roman city (originally a military outpost). The Apostle Paul and his ministry team, including the physician Luke and Silas, had ventured through the inspiration and calling of God. In their first days there they prayed with Lydia and a prayer group that met by the river (see the post for Wednesday below), in the days that followed Paul and Silas were acosted by a demon possessed young girl, set her free, and were cast into prison after being severely beaten.

Some would have submitted their resignation after a week like that. They might have thrown their hands in the air and said "Why Me?". But this was not in Paul or Silas nature. In the middle of the prison they began to pray and praise. Well it is Friday. It has been a busy week for me, how about you? Yet, in the midst of all that busyness I have come to value the quiet, out of the way moments, even if I have not planned them. As they sat side-by-side with their legs bound in the stocks Paul and Silas found strength and joy in praying and praising. And about midnight an earthquake occurred that opened all the doors and unlocked all the chains and stocks.

Pay attention with me to the jailer for a moment. He was fast asleep when the earthquake shook him. As he went to check on the prisoners in his care he found the doors wide open andhe feared the prisoners had escaped and he would suffer for their escape. Picture with me this man as he reached for a knife to commit suicide. But, he was stopped by Paul yelling out and telling him no one had left. What ran through this man's mind as he stood there? Something different from normal had occurred, and in response he cried, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul responded, "Believe in the Lord Jesus ...".

The word for "believe" in Greek is the word pisteuvo. It is a complex word that does not fully translate into the English language. Pisteuvo carries with it more than an intellectual process. To express pisteuvo in Jesus means involves trusting, clinging, and relying on a relationship with Him. When I trust in someone I am willing to listen and act on what he says. Clinging brings to mind a picture of a young child holding tightly to their parents leg and speaks of developing an intimate relationship with Jesus. And relying on Jesus involves turning to Him as both Lord and Leader.

So, how well do you believe (pisteuvo) on Jesus? And what might you ask God to help you do to believe more fully?

Pastor Al