2025. 5. 20. 21:50ㆍ신앙이야기
Topic: FAITH 1
1. Faith and Science
Pascal’s Wager (bet)
Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) was a brilliant French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and Christian philosopher. Despite dying at just 39, he made remarkable contributions across several fields — and his life, intellect, and faith were deeply intertwined. Pensées ("Thoughts") is his most famous religious work — a collection of notes and reflections for a book he never finished.
Pascal’s name is directly used in meteorology (weather science) via the hectopascal (hPa), which is the standard unit for measuring atmospheric pressure worldwide. It's a legacy of both his scientific insights and the modern metric system
: 1 pascal (Pa) = 1 newton per square meter (N/m²)
1 hectopascal (hPa) = 100 pascals
I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live as if there isn't and to die to find out that there is (Pensées).
Pascal argued that:
If God exists, then believing gives you infinite reward (Heaven), and not believing gives you infinite loss (Hell).
If God does not exist, then believing costs you a little (you may have lived a religious life unnecessarily), and not believing gives you a small benefit.
So, the safe bet — with the biggest potential upside and the smallest potential downside — is to believe in God.
2. Faith is a choice and trust.
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5–6).
- Manna and Faith
- Contents of the Ark of the Covenant (according to the Bible):
The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and later in Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.
1) The Tablets of the Law (Ten Commandments)
Two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
2) A Golden Pot of Manna
A preserved portion of the miraculous food that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness.
3) Aaron’s Rod That Budded
The staff of Aaron (brother of Moses), which miraculously budded, flowered, and bore almonds as a divine sign of his chosen priesthood.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV)
3. Faith Is Trusting in What You Don’t Yet See
→ Manna was unseen until it came.
The Israelites were in the desert—no farms, markets, or ways to store food. God promised to provide daily bread, but they had to trust that it would be there each morning.
- Every night, they went to bed without food for the next day.
- Every morning, they woke up and — by faith — went out to gather.
- They had no visible guarantee it would come, yet they hoped for it and lived accordingly.
That’s exactly Hebrews 11:1.
“...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
4. Faith Is Daily and Practical
Manna had to be gathered daily.
The Israelites couldn’t stockpile it (except before the Sabbath). This demanded daily dependence — not just one-time belief.
Faith wasn’t just belief in theory; it was shown in action:
- They had to obey.
- They had to trust fresh provision.
- They had to resist the urge to rely on themselves.
Just as faith isn’t about having all the answers upfront, manna taught them to live one day at a time, trusting God's faithfulness.
5. Faith Is Nourishing
— Even If You Don’t Understand It
“What is it?” becomes “Enough.”
The word manna literally means "What is it?"
They didn’t understand it — but they had to receive it and live on it.
That parallels Christian faith:
- Sometimes we don’t understand God’s ways or timing.
- Faith means accepting what He gives — even when we don’t recognize it at first.
- Over time, it becomes spiritual nourishment.
6. Faith Can Weaken
— But God Remains Faithful
They complained, yet the manna kept coming.
The Israelites doubted, grumbled, and even despised the manna. But God’s provision didn’t stop — a powerful image of grace.
Hebrews 11 lists heroes of the faith, but most had moments of doubt. Faith isn’t always clean or perfect. The manna story shows that:
Faith isn't the absence of fear or frustration — it's choosing trust in the midst of it.
Fellowship of the Unashamed
In 1980, a Rwandan man who believed in Jesus was brought before his tribe and given the choice to either renounce Christ or be killed. When he refused to reject the name of Christ, he was killed on the spot. He had left a letter in his room before he was taken into custody.
I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”
The die has been cast.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won’t look back, let up, slow down,
back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present
makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
chintzy (cheap) giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,
promotions, plaudits (praise), or popularity.
I now live by presence,
lean by faith,
love by patience,
lift by prayer,
and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait(walk) is fast, my goal is Heaven, my
road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred,
lured (seduced) away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch (hesitate) in the face of sacrifice,
hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meander (wander) in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until Heaven returns,
give until I drop,
preach until all know,
and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own,
He will have no problem recognizing me.
My banner will be clear.
(There will be no doubt whose side I'm on. I stand for Christ, and it’s unmistakable.)