Standing For God

A legend of unknown origins, relates how the thumb and four fingers lived together on one hand. These friends were inseparable. One day, they past a bag of gold in the neighborhood and these digital friends began plotting how to get it for themselves.

The thumb warned his friends it would be wrong to steal the gold, but the fingers called him a moralist coward. They rejected his warning and refused to be his friends. The thumb was sad because he was losing friends. Yet he was glad because he didn't want any part of their evil plans. According to this legend, this is why the thumb is separate from the other digits on the hand.

This mythical story beautifully illustrates that sometimes we have to choose our own way in life. And sometimes our choice segregates us from the surrounding evil in our world. We see the benefits of individual choice in the story of Noah. In Noah's day, God came down to earth to verify the reports of evil and violence.

God found that mankind only thought evil thoughts and continually imagined evil schemes (Genesis 6:5). The earthly degradation grieved God and he decided to destroy his corrupted creation (Genesis 6:6-7). He also found a godly man and decided to exclude him from the divine retribution (Genesis 6:8). And finally, God was convinced the reports were true because "the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:11).

Since Noah was consecrated to God, he was commanded to build a ship of safety, which he did faithfully. According to the author of Hebrews, Noah's choice of faith saved his family and he "became the heir of righteousness" (Hebrews 11:7).

From the first century until now God has revealed his grace for mankind in the life, death, and resurrection of his son Jesus, the Christ. Believers across the world have every reason to give him praise and glory. We have every reason to be faithful in our daily lives. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), so even in our individual choices we are never truly alone.

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus Christ to the Cross alone for me. Empower me to stand for him even if I have to stand alone. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Everyone can follow the crowd, but it takes courage to stand alone.