DARING TO BELIEVE (Psalm 10)

God, are you avoiding me? Where are you when I need you? (Psalm 10:1)

I dare to believe that the luckless
will get lucky someday in you.
You won't let them down:
orphans won't be orphans forever. (Psalm 10:14)

David's question arrested my attention. Are you avoiding me, God? The question Job asked, in different language.

The question I have felt: God, has your attention drifted away? Where are you? Are you avoiding doing anything about my situation? Why??!

But I know David's psalms. He starts with a brutal statement of despair. He rants against the wicked. And he ends with a statement of faith, of reassurance, of hope.

So I rushed to the end of the psalm. In this case, David's statement reflects the essence of faith, "the evidence of things not seen." I dare to believe. That the unlucky, the down-and-out, the orphans, won't be abandoned forever. That God will come through.

So what does that mean? Think about how we use the word "dare."

Truth or dare.

Double dare.

"Dare" is part of our culture. I associate with childish pranks and tests, parlor games.

So when I checked the definition of "dare," I was surprised to learn it's associated with courage:

• To challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage.
• To confront boldly
• To have the courage to contend against, venture, or try

Implied in the dare is a challenge, a confrontation. Faith isn't passive. It's active. In my active definition of faith, I believe it means in spite of doubt. I dare to act on belief that I'm not sure of. I dare to write, trusting my books will be published and they will touch people's lives. I dare to teach, trusting God to help my students learn. I dare to love, in spite of the risk of disappointment. I dare to speak of God's greatness, even when my life might contradict my testimony.

Do you feel like God is avoiding you?

What will you dare to believe? How can you act on that faith?


Today's favorite verse: I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say,"Run to the mountains". . .But God hasn't moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn't changed. (Psalm 11:1-4)

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