Relying on Faith

Relying on Faith

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and Hebrews 11:32–34

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

From the time of David being a little boy, we may see that he did great things but did so through faith. Certainly, reason was not at work when he went out to face Goliath. 

Yesterday, I played basketball with a group of kids at church. Suddenly, one of the boys flexed his muscles and declared that he was Giannis Antetokounmpo, the center for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Now, if that were true, I wouldn’t stand a chance against him. Nothing had changed for me; I was still shooting with a boy half my height. But perhaps, he was suddenly taller to himself and faced me with a little more confidence. But he was operating on feelings and fantasy, not faith. Though he hoped otherwise, he knew he did not stand a chance. 

The shepherd boy did not rely on feelings or reason when he squared off against Goliath. He was operating in another realm entirely, the realm of faith. King Saul, and perhaps the entire Israelite camp was being more reasonable. The king said to the boy, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33). 

But David placed his trust in God saying, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). In David’s heart, he knew the Lord would be the one fighting the giant. He would rescue David and the the armies of the living God. 

This is how faith works. It does not rely upon reason or a man’s strength and size. Faith relies upon God alone — and acts. 

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