The Problem with Wobbly Faith

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58)

How many of you remember a marketing phrase originating in 1971 - "Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down"? This line of children's toys featured a weighted figurine that would "wobble" back and forth and side to side, but which would never fall over and stay down. They were immensely popular and have even been reintroduced in recent years.

How like "Weebles" we are at times in our faith, beloved! How easy it seems for us to "wobble" even though we may not fall down! David found his own faith wobbling at times and on one such occasion it cost others dearly. He had departed from the presence of Jonathan in the field following the news that he could not return to the palace because of Saul's rage. Accompanied by a handful of men, he arrived in the village of Nob, a quiet place where the priests lived with their families (1 Samuel 21:1-7). In need of weapons and food, David stooped to lying to Ahimelech, one of the priests, by telling him that he and his men were on a secret mission for the king. That "wobble" was witnessed by one of the king's men who reported to the palace about David's activity. As a result, Saul had the entire Nob community wiped out, allegedly for being accomplices in aiding David to escape his pursuit (1 Samuel 22:19). Thus, David's "wobble" in faith dearly cost those who had trusted him and taken him at his word.

The exhortation of the apostle Paul to the saints in Corinth, beloved, stands as a wonderful reminder that you and I as Christians ought to make sure that we do not "wobble" in our walk with the Lord. The triple-command to be "steadfast" and "immovable" and "abounding" in the work of the Lord is a clarion-call to faithfulness in lifestyle and in ministry. What Paul did not say in that passage, but which is so very clear in the example of David's misconduct, is that when you and I do "wobble" in our faith, invariably someone in our lives is going to suffer for it.

To become "steadfast" is, as the Greek hedraios shows, to be settled or steady in mind and purpose. The second Greek word in this phrase, ametakinetos, means literally not moving away from and intensifies the meaning intended by the apostle. Taken together, then, they refer to being so established in God's will for our lives and in our trust in Him that we do not "wobble" in our faith and walk.

"Weebles" may have been designed by their originator to wobble, beloved, but our Creator wants us as Christians to be as steadfast and immovable in our trust in Him and commitment to our calling as it is possible for us to be! As we do so, we will discover that the Holy Spirit within us will be able to use us to "abound" in service to Jesus Christ and to positively influence those around us for the cause of Christ. Let's not be spiritual "Weebles," beloved, but rather choose to remain rock-solid in our faith and practice!

Ron