I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed. 2 Timothy 1:12b

It is difficult for us to imagine what might have been in the minds of the Melanesian natives as they saw WWII American and British engineers descend upon their islands and clear the ground for airstrips. They were even more astonished to see that, when the airstrips were completed, giant planes began to land, their bellies bulging with every imaginable commodity. “This,” the islanders decided amongst themselves, “is a good thing, and we, too, wish to be recipients of the bounty from the sky.”

With considerable faith and an eye for detail, the natives began to build their own airstrips. They cut down trees, moved rocks, and ripped out vegetation for their runways. Fires marked the perimeters and antennas were put up, built of bamboo. They had every confidence that when they were done, the cargo planes would bestow heaven-sent goodies upon them, as well. Of course no planes came. Their sincere belief was not enough to make a plane land on their runways. Belief, when it’s belief in a wrong thing, isn’t enough.

Of course, I’m not telling you something you don’t know. We are sophisticated and not easily fooled. We don’t believe the commercials about the knives that can cut through a blacksmith's anvil and remain sharp enough to do brain surgery. We don’t necessarily believe the politicians when they make promises. We don’t always believe that hard work and good intentions will always be rewarded in the business world. There are a great many things you don’t believe in, aren’t there?

Which leads me to ask, “In whom do you believe?" Is there anyone you can absolutely, completely, totally, rely on? Do you have a friend you can be sure will never, no matter what the circumstance or situation, sell you out to save his own hide? Do you have a special love which you are positive will remain solid, safe, and secure, in sickness and in health, in sad times and in glad, in times of riches or poverty? Is there anybody you can trust? The apostle Paul would suggest, and countless millions agree, that you can trust Jesus the Savior who came to save you from sin, who gave His life for your redemption, who has promised to be with you always. I believe you can trust Him.

Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour sermon preached on October 17, 2004

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, open my heart and mind to your will as I place my trust in you. May I not only see, but also act upon the opportunities you place before me today. Amen.

Today's Bible Readings: Judges 4-6    Luke 13:1-22

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