It is not a breaking point that we head towards, I do not believe that those who are hid in Christ have a breaking point, I have read far too many accounts of people tortured and even killed for their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to believe that anyone who is born again has a breaking point.
“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” (Acts 4:19)
I do believe though that it is not only right, but imperative for us to know our limitations. And I also believe this to be a truth, that we cannot know our boundaries, our limits, unless we test them.
To walk in faith is to do just that, it is more than just attempting to quench the fears that will arrive, more, if you can understand this truth, than just praying fervently, although that should always be done. It is not knowing if we can accomplish that which we have set out to do for His glory.
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb. 5:14)
Testing the waters is what some call it, do I have the necessary strength, do I have the fortitude to continue, how far can I go, and will I know when to stop. Failure is always a possibility, and sadly, far too many start with that thought.
“What if I fail. What if I expend all that energy, plan as much as I can, set within myself a wall of hope, and then when I get there, nothing that I planned came to fruition.” All was in vain.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: (Prov. 24:16a)
That verse is not just referencing sin in our lives, it speaks of failure as well.
There are many who indeed count the cost, yet still will not move forward, too many obstacles, too many personal dangers, too much of a chance to lose something valuable to them, perhaps the loss of all they have, know and love. They have reached what they might consider their breaking point before even taking the first step.
There was a moment in our Savior’s life when He resolutely set His face like a flint to go to Jerusalem, even when He knew full well what was going to happen to Him in a few days. And when that moment arrived, in Mark 10:32 it says that the disciples were afraid as they followed Him.
Virtue did not exude from Him in that moment, what did was something few see these days, and even fewer would recognize. A man on a mission. Determined. Resolute.
And He never reached a breaking point, even when He said, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)
We who are the righteousness of God in Christ do not break, we cannot be broken, we do not bend for anyone, and we bow the knee only to One. But it is impossible to realize that truth within us unless the Almighty takes us right up to the ledge, and then holds our hand as He says, “Now, take one more step of faith.”
Yes, fear will arrive, yes, your flesh will scream in fear, and it may be that you will scream as well. In pain.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
How much do you want to know just how much you are loved?
That is a place that few want to go, especially in these days when comfort to them means the Lord is blessing them.
There are some states that we do not think that we could be content in, we believe it would be more than we could handle. That we would break.
That is when the next step of faith must be taken.
