Sunday, February 12, 2012

The True Test of Faith

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:22, NKJV)
How fascinating that a man who rose to be regent of an ancient world empire is memorialized here in Hebrews simply because he believed the prophecies concerning Israel's national history long before the exodus from the womb of Egypt took place.

Soon to be gathered to his ancestors at the age of 110, having lived to see his grandchildren's grandchildren, having been responsible, from the human perspective, for the salvation of his people, his spiritual claim to fame is his mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and [giving] instructions concerning his bones!

So unlike any memorial we would imagine, likely focusing on his deeds and decisions, his being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, his unjust imprisonment, his rise to prominence and power - all things significant from the worldly perspective, but passed over completely by the writer of Hebrews, who, through divine inspiration, distilled this faithful man's life down to his priorities at death.

It is equally fascinating that some 400 years later, Joseph's last words to the Children of Israel were fulfilled.

And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.” (Exodus 13:19, NKJV).
This emphasizes what should be the priorities of human life from a spiritual perspective. It is not what we may or may not accomplish from the world's perspective, but what we have believed about our God in such a way throughout our life so that even imminent death does not shake that faith.

Death is the ultimate egalitarian. Every soul ever alive has faced it (with only two notable exceptions - Enoch and Elijah) in accordance with God's decree of judgment in The Garden. It matters not at all how rich and famous, or poor and anonymous, Death stalks and will capture us all (unless the Lord returns in our lifetime). 

It is an implacable enemy that strips away all pretense and hypocrisy and lays bare who we really are underneath all the frosting.

What you believe at the moment of death is what you really believe, the bare naked conviction of your soul, void of all guile and self-deception.

It is the true test of faith.

No sane man can die a successful liar. Each of us will enter into that realm with the sum total of what we have believed about our existence and purpose emblazoned on our very beings.

Death is intensely personal and quintessentially private no matter how many may die at any given moment of time, or how outwardly sensational the event.

And we will either enter death in true unbelief, despite whatever we may have promoted about ourselves when alive, or in true belief, however inconspicuous our faith may have appeared.

This is only fair.

In life, gifts, opportunities, advantages, disadvantages, handicaps, challenges, health, abilities and circumstances vary greatly from person to person. And while it is true that to whom much is given much is required, it is at the moment of the realization of death, however fleeting or prolonged, that the field of judgment is leveled.

Determine then what you choose to believe now, while time is yours to either squander or dispose of diligently.

Determine what is important to your essential being now - do not wait, for you do not know what tomorrow will bring.

Set aside the unimportant and worldly, for in the end, it is only your relationship with your Maker that matters.

Settle that, and all else will fall into place according to His will.