Records Provide Facts That Authenticate and Augment Faith

Exodus 6:19 – The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.

These were the clans of Levi according to their records.

Exodus 6:20 – Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

Exodus 6:26 – It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.”

Exodus 6:27 – They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing the Israelites out of Egypt—this same Moses and Aaron.

A record is information that has been captured and stored for future reference. A record is kept safe so that in future it can be used to retrieve information that will be needed at that time. A record has to be as accurate as possible.

A record is made of facts and details that will be useful to either confirm or affirm a truth. Records are also used to remind us of that which we can easily forget. Records form the basis of decision making.

The passage of time can affect our faith in facts that actually took place. There are true stories that sound like fairy tales. There are testimonies that though true, sound to be too good to be true. Only facts can help us at that point in time when the passage of time has interfered with our ability to believe. These facts are found in records!

After many years the story of Aaron and Moses would sound like they were not human. They had so much faith and power, until it seems like they were divine beings sent among humanity. Moses was too good a leader, full of resilience and successful, none of us can be like him and for sure he wasn’t one of us. The only way to assuage such thoughts is to provide records that confirm that they were after all human.

James 5:17 – Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

After a long passage of time, Elijah had become a more than human legend. No one even imagined that they could be like Elijah. Yet Elijah was as human as any of us. It became necessary for Apostle James to tell the church that Elijah was as human as we are. Therefore, since Elijah was as human as we are, we can pray as effectively as he did.

This is the reason why the records that traces the family line of Moses and Aaron are given in our reading today from Exodus chapter six. After showing the exact family line of Moses and Aaron, the writer affirms that, it is this Moses and this Aaron that God used to save Israelites.

To authenticate something is to prove that it is right, genuine, true and in order. The records in our chapter of consideration today have been kept in order to authenticate faith. The records confirm that we are right and in order to believe that God used Moses and Aaron in a mighty way. Faith is authenticated by the records. Faith wasn’t absent, it is only authenticated by the records!

To augment something is to enhance it so that it is bigger, much more effective and of a greater impact. The records kept augment our faith in the story that God used Moses and Aaron. The confirmation that it was the ordinary Moses and Aaron that did such marvellous things, helps us believe that we too can do greater things for God frail as we are.

We need to keep records of what God has done for us. God does a lot, we get mesmerised then forget. When we getting into a crisis, we forget that the same God has consistently previously saved us. We naturally remember the negative things but the good things God does, we quickly forget. Yet the great deeds of God are the facts we need to authenticate and augment our faith.

1 When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Refrain]

Theological studies and study of Religion is an attempt to provide facts from ancient records for present use. This scientifically verified facts are useful in authenticating and augmenting faith. Faith is not absent and would not be any weaker without these records, but there is no harm to authenticate and augment it. If we believe in Jesus, why did New Testament writers provide a genealogy? Why did Luke investigate in order to provide an accurate record? It is because there is greater benefit than harm in authenticating and augmenting faith.

Testimony time in church is a time to listen to a record of what God has done for others. Testimonies may be written like Mission stories or given by those who have experienced it. Whichever way, we should be present to listen and get encouraged by these facts of God’s actions in the lives of others.

Records should be used to verify miracles performed. If a person living with disability has been healed, we believe God can do it. Now provide the records of family members, neighbours and friends of the healed person and even independent medical records. Do not just insist on us having faith, provide records bearing facts and our faith will be authenticated and augmented greatly. Miracles favouring unknown mysterious people does not build faith. Provide records publicly and let them be authenticated by independent people.

When God raises you up and you become a testimony of God’s actions, do not distance yourself from people. Come down and let them see that it is an ordinary accessible person that has been blessed. Be the record that authenticates and augments people’s faith. Don’t assume an air of mystery and larger than life status of a god or goddess, and make observers think they will never attain such status. Be the record that authenticates and augments faith that God can raise up anyone! In the name of Jesus’, Amen!

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