Parashat Naso 2022

Numbers 4:21-7:89

In Parashat Naso the tribes bring a series of offerings (Numbers 7) that seem tediously and repetitively spelled out. Each is painstakingly recorded and though they seem identical, each is accorded a separate record, significance, and dignity. It was not about one tribe outdoing another, competing with another, or pushing another out of the way. It was about each tribe being involved in what God wanted to build and God remembered it all. Do you know that God keeps lists? He honors and remembers our worship and our faith offerings even in the times where things felt tedious and repetitive. He accords each of us a place with him and looks for each of us to fulfill a part of his plan. Many times, we feel like our worship, prayers, and moments that we step out in faith are inconsequential. We often do not feel like they are significant or even noticeable by God. How many times have we felt that our prayers have simply bounced off of the walls of our homes and sanctuaries? How many times have we stepped out in obedience to God hoping for a swell of spiritual waves in response and end up feeling like we have not even made a ripple in our spiritual landscape.

Our efforts made in faith are never wasted. God has a detailed understanding of our faith, hopes, and dreams. His love for us is not defined by how we feel. He looks for faith. Faith is not a feeling though sometimes an affirming feeling is present. It is not getting chills, having a hair-raising spiritual sensation, or an intense prophetic experience. Some or all of these may be present, but none of them are an indication of absolute faith. Our strongest expressions of faith are carried out absent of tactile affirmations. Real faith is best seen as a willing response to the will of God. We pursue God, act on his word, and reach for his prophetic promises and that simple act of obedience is all that God needs.

Hebrews 11:1, 6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Real faith is not some secret formula. It is not something that only a few pious people can attain. Every time we have in mind to be obedient to the word of God we are walking in faith. Real faith can be found in our kindness, our compassion, and our modesty in all things. Real faith can be found in our visitation of the sick, those in prison, or even how we honor our parents. We exercise real faith when we pray for another and encourage each other. Real faith is a central focus when we confront trials with longsuffering, believe in the face of problematic circumstances, and hold on to our confession that God’s promises will stand.

James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works (accompanied by action), is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

When we appear before God in the end (Rom 14:12, 2 Cor 5:10, Matt 12:36-37, Rev 20:12), we will not appear before him empty-handed (see Matt 25:14-30). We will have a long list people and places we have invested our faith in and God will be pleased. It was never about our merit. It was about bearing fruit, shining God’s light, inserting his presence into every situation, and incorporating faith in all that we do. God does hold our faith offerings in remembrance. Even the small things we do does not go unnoticed before God. Real faith is really simple. We just uphold God’s word in all that we say and do. We are shlichim (emissaries), who have been sent out to invest in the work of God and the healing of the world (tikkun olam). The enemy does not care what you feel. He fears what you act on in faith. He fears your worship. Every investment of faith that we make clears out a little more darkness. Invest your faith today. Enough ripples make a larger wave. In the end, we will overcome.

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