Facts and Faith

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

In the old black and white TV series Dragnet, Sergeant Joe Friday, would tell the people he was talking to, “Just the facts, mam/sir, just the facts.” That may be the right way to go in an interrogation, but it is not the best thing to see in life. The facts usually mean bad news. You paycheck is too small. The diagnosis was worse than you thought. Your biological clock is running out of time. Facing facts in real life is really hard at times. 

That’s where faith comes in. As Christ followers, we need to face ALL the facts. God has to factor into our thinking as well. The facts in this life are not all there is. 

The godly Hezekiah knew that. Jerusalem was being threatened by the powerful Assyrians under Sennacherib. While his army was demolishing Lachish, he sent emissaries to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 32:9-10 records part of what they asked Hezekiah: “Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, ‘On what are you trusting that you are remaining in Jerusalem under siege?’” 

Here are the fact they were asserting:

Assyria has never lost.

The gods of other nations haven’t saved them.

Hezekiah’s own city of Lachish would soon fall.

Fear could have gripped Hezekiah if these were the only facts available to him. But he also knew facing facts includes faith. He had the Lord’s promises. So he responded to the facts by calling on Isaiah the prophet. They prayed together [wouldn’t Isaiah make a great prayer partner!]

Their reaction teaches us a tremendous lesson. When the world besieges you on all sides with hard facts, remember your strength lies in the Lord God—not in the arm of flesh. When facing real life facts, add to them a few of your own because of who you are in Christ Jesus. Things like:

You are not forsaken [Hebrews 13:5].

God’s provision, or seeming lack of provision, has your good in mind [Deuteronomy 8:3].

You will not die until God says it’s your time to go home [Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16].

These, too, require faith.

As we begin our week, remember to add to the facts you see, the facts that are unseen. Behind your faith is something greater than anything you face. 

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.” 

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence. 

4 He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you. 

8 Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked. 

9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 

10 No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways. 

12 In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:1-12