Welcome to “Faith Talk,” where we explore the intersections of faith, society, the human experience, and the church. I’m Rev. Jay Stuart Glover, and today’s episode is entitled “Sustaining Hope: Divine Power and Human Responsibility.”
We live in a world filled with chaos, uncertainty, and suffering. Turning on the news, we are met with reports of increasing protests, violence, and unrest across the globe.
Let’s consider some examples:
1. Bangladesh: Protests against government policies, particularly related to unemployment and the quota system for government jobs, have led to the loss of many lives and widespread destruction of property.
2. Peru: Discontent with government policies and corruption has fueled protests where security forces have responded with lethal force, resulting in the tragic loss of life.
3. United Kingdom: Violent protests and political unrest, centered around anti immigration have disrupted civility in more than a dozen towns and cities.
4. Haiti: Severe and escalating violence, driven by political instability and economic hardship, has plunged the nation into an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
5. Israel, Gaza, and Iran: The situation here is highly complex, marked by ongoing violence and political tension. Despite numerous efforts, peace remains elusive, and the violence has resulted in countless civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
6. United States: Political tensions are escalating rapidly, with deepening divides between opposing parties and a notable rise in political extremism and violent rhetoric.
These examples highlight a global trend of deep-seated grievances and challenges to governance. It seems as though we need a miracle—a divine intervention to bring healing to our societal wounds.
As a person of faith, I find hope in God through the miracle stories of the Bible. These stories illustrate God’s power, compassion, and the promise of transformation in the lives of those who believe.
Through the miracle stories we see God’s Power Over Circumstances
The miracles of Jesus—whether calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-14), or raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44)—demonstrate that nothing is beyond God’s control. These stories remind us that no situation is too difficult for God to change. When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, these miracles reassure us that God has the power to intervene and bring about change. This understanding provides hope that, regardless of the trials we face today, God is capable of working in ways that transcend our understanding and expectations.
God’s Compassionate Care
Many of Jesus' miracles are direct responses to human need and suffering, such as healing the blind, the lepers, and the paralytics. In these stories, Jesus is moved by compassion, demonstrating that God is not distant or indifferent to our pain. For instance, in Mark 1:40-42, when a leper approaches Jesus saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean," Jesus is "moved with pity" and heals him. This compassionate nature of God gives us hope that in our suffering, God sees, cares, and is willing to act. His miracles are not just displays of power but expressions of His love and desire to bring wholeness to our lives.
The Promise of Transformation
Jesus' miracles as recorded in the Gospels point to the reality of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. Each miracle is a foretaste of the ultimate transformation that God will bring about in the new creation—a world where there is no more suffering, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4). The healing of the sick, the restoration of sight, and the raising of the dead all point to this future reality where all things will be made new. They offer hope that the brokenness of this world is not permanent and that God is actively working toward a future where all will be restored.
The miracle stories in the Gospels are not just historical accounts but living testimonies of God’s power, compassion, and promise. They offer us hope by reminding us that God is deeply involved in our lives, capable of transforming even the most difficult circumstances, and always working toward our ultimate good. As we face the uncertainties and challenges of tomorrow, these stories encourage us to trust in God's ongoing presence and believe that He is actively bringing about His purposes in our lives.
Our Role as Co-Workers with God
It is great to read through the miracles stories in the Bible. Through these stories we are introduced to the character of God. However, we must be careful not to misconstrue the nature of miracles. Martin Luther King Jr., in his book *Strength to Love*, wisely cautioned that we should not expect God to cast evil out of the world through some miraculous wave of His hand. Such a belief can lead to passive faith, where we expect God to do everything while we do nothing—a mindset that King describes as superstition, not true faith.
The church, therefore, is called to be a community where hope in God resides. It is where believers support one another through shared struggles and joys. In keeping hope alive, the church must be an active participant in fostering hope within their communities through acts of kindness, advocacy for justice, equality, and inclusion, while spreading the message of Christ’s love.
The Church as Co-Workers with God
The concept of the church being "co-workers with God" is deeply rooted in Scripture and reflects the profound calling of the Christian community to actively participate in God's mission in the world.
1. The Church as the Body of Christ: In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul describes the church as the Body of Christ, emphasizing that each member plays a vital role in continuing the work Jesus began during His earthly ministry. As the Body, the church is not just a passive recipient of God’s grace but also an active participant in His mission.
2. The Great Commission: Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20, known as the Great Commission, is a direct call for the church to be co-workers with God by making disciples of all nations. This involves preaching the gospel, baptizing believers, and teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded. Through evangelism, the church participates in God’s redemptive work, as He brings people into a saving relationship with Christ.
3. Acts of Service and Compassion: The church is called to reflect Christ’s love through acts of service, as seen in Jesus’ own ministry of healing, feeding the hungry, and caring for the marginalized. By serving others, the church acts as God’s hands and feet, meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in a way that mirrors Jesus’ ministry.
4. Working for Justice and Peace: The church is also called to work for justice and peace, reflecting God’s righteousness and concern for the oppressed. In today’s context, this means standing against injustice, advocating for the oppressed, and working toward peace in societies plagued by violence and inequality.
The church’s calling to be co-workers with God is multifaceted, encompassing evangelism, service, justice, prayer, reconciliation, and discipleship. Through these actions, the church actively participates in God’s ongoing mission. This partnership is not only a profound privilege but also a serious responsibility, as the church is entrusted with making God’s presence and purposes known in a world that desperately needs them.
God is still in the miracle-working business. Our hope is rooted in His unchanging character, sovereignty, and ultimate victory through the resurrection of Jesus Christ—the triumph of righteousness over evil and life over death. This hope sustains us through life’s trials, assures us of eternal life, and empowers us to live faithfully and courageously, confident that our future is secure in God’s hands. We look forward to the day when as scripture says Rev 21:3-4
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This is the promise of God. But as we live in the tension of the now and the not Yet, God invites us to be co-workers with Him in working towards and pursuing justice, peace, and love.
I’m Rev. Jay Stuart Glover, and thank you for joining me today on *Faith Talk*. These episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, i-Heart, YouTube, and other podcast platforms. Please visit the website at www.revjaystuartglover.com and share with friends and family. Let us go forth as peacemakers, bringing God's light into the shadows of our world. Until next time, may God bless you and guide you in all that you do. Amen.
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