When we buy a new appliance, we expect that it will need maintenance during its lifetime. That refrigerator may run perfectly for the first few years, but eventually the water filter will need replaced, or we will need to have the ice maker serviced. It’s no big deal. It’s just the way things are.
If it breaks, we call in a certified repairman, and our broken refrigerator is restored to like-new condition.
We can even purchase service policies that assure us that nothing broken will remain that way for long. Our appliance will be repaired or replaced at no extra charge.
Not everyone thinks ahead, though. Look at Achan in Joshua 7:1-5. Achan let his service policy expire. He broke faith in God, and for his broken faith, the men of Ai chased the soldiers of Israel, killing 36 of their men. Not only did Achan suffer for his broken faith, but his sons and daughters and all his possessions were burned, and a great heap of stones was raised to mark the occasion.
Achan sets us an example we do not want to follow. To build our faith, we are better to look to a humble man in the New Testament.
John 3:1-14 reveals a man with a service policy. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, an official of some note and power. The Sanhedrin was the Jewish ruling council, a group among which Jesus had made few friends. Yet, Nicodemus came to Jesus to build his faith. Later, he would join Joseph of Arimethea to take and prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
Nicodemus had every reason to dismiss Jesus as no more than rabble, and to continue on in his position of power. Achan had no reason to break faith with the children of Israel and bring disaster upon their heads. Nicodemus had his broken faith restored. Achan broke his faith, and everything he touched was destroyed.
We have to make our choice. Will we choose Jesus, or will we break faith and choose the world? We have a service policy in our hands. We call it the Bible. All we have to do is call on the master technician.
We call his name Jesus.
If our faith is broken, and we continue to search for God, he will restore us to perfection in him.
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