In the first reading on this 4th Sunday of Lent, Year B (2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23), we are told that because of their sins, the land of Israel was completely destroyed and those who escaped the sword were carried into captivity to Babylon. They were in captivity for seventy years and had no hope of returning to Judah. Then, a pagan king, Cyrus, took over Persia, and God touched his heart to let all the Israelites return home to rebuild the temple. All the people could say was, “When he Lord delivered Israel from captivity it seemed like a dream.” It is never over until God says so. In the gospel (John 9:1-41), which is used for our second Scrutiny Sunday, we read about the man born blind whom people had written off and believed that his blindness was a generation curse and would follow him to death, and how Jesus healed him, and he was able to see again. It is never over until God says so.
My friends, extreme challenges are part of life and will always be. Many a time, we find ourselves in situations that look like points of no return; we can’t seem to find our way through the darkness, things look like the devil is winning the battle, we begin to mistake life problems as divine punishment, and we find ourselves developing the feelings of hopelessness. But it is never over until God says so! In these moments, we need “Believing Faith,” a trust so firm that one is ready to risk death a hundred times over, trusting in it. This is the kind of faith that connects with Jesus and, by this connection, refuses to doubt, give up, or go into unbelief. It is a kind of faith that latches unto Christ, trusting Him for something everyone else is powerless to do. It is a kind of faith that believes that one’s adversity is God’s opportunity to glorify His Name. This is not faith based on wishful hope; it is faith based on in the fulfillment of His promises. Scripture says, “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and I will save…. Remember this and stand firm… I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Ref. Isaiah 46:3-11).
Believing faith requires certain behaviors. It requires negating the negativity of our environment and Nay-Sayers because our fears about what people will say and our feelings about how peers and friends will react can inhibit belief. Believing faith requires us to counter pride and negative self-talk; those inner feelings that inhibit divine encounters. Believing faith is a surrendering hope; a hopeful hope that believes, no matter what. Believing faith requires that we keep believing even when we are at our lowest point, when nothing seems hopeful, no light is in sight, and desperation sets in. It is never over until God says so. Scripture says, “My faithful one shall live by faith alone and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him” (Hebrew 10:38) and verse 39 says, “We are not among those who draw back and perish but of those who believe and are saved”. My friends, let us keep believing no matter what is happening and never allow our faith to grow dim. Let us live above our feelings, never despairing, knowing that trusting in God can and will deliver us unto victory. This is the power of believing-faith! We are better off when we live by it, and we will be surprised by what the good Lord can do. May God grant us the grace for “Believing Faith”.
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