He Çtayyered Uct”
By Glenn C. Smith
H E staggered not at the promise o f God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully per suaded that, what he had promised, he was also able to perform” (Rom. 4:20, 21). It is hard to find a better expression to characterize hesitant action caused by unbelief than the word stagger. The Greek from which this word is translated conveys the idea o f deliber ation in estimating something and passing judgment upon it. In other places, the same word is translated “ doubt” (Matt. 21:21; Mark 11 :2 3 ); and in James 1:6 it is rendered “ wavering” . In every instance how ever, there is the thought o f hesitant judgment and consequent faltering faith. Crabb reminds us that “ in figurative application, the faith or the resolution of a person staggers when its hold on the mind is shaken and begins to give way.” A Danger Sign Staggering denotes danger. This is true in whatever sense we may use the word. In the physical realm, for instance, a fainting spell signifies more serious trouble. The man who totters after ordinary physical effort is thereby warned of a bad heart. Reeling may forewarn o f the dis astrous effects of strong drink. One who cannot walk steadily following an accident may well be fearful o f some serious internal injury. Staggering may be observed as equally significant o f danger in the mental realm. One may stagger men tally following severe emotional strain. It may be called nervousness or hys teria, but it often reveals the presence of real illness. Whatever the cause, when the mental balance seems to totter, we know it is time to do some thing about it. This verse in Romans is concerned with both mental and spiritual stag gering. The spiritual follows the men tal, and the mental is often, to some extent, the cause o f the spiritual. When one staggers spiritually, the deepest portion o f his being is shaken. He staggers in faith. Such times are, in the words o f Dr. Richard Ellsworth Day, “ Those critical junctures where man-soul stands at Kadesh-barnea, trembling as to whether it will move
the reasons for spiritual staggering. And what are they? In the first place, a shallow hearing o f the Word o f God may be blamed for a large portion o f failure in the immediate acceptance o f the promise of God. “ Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you : and unto you that hear shall more be given” (Mark 4 :24 ). Luke uses the words, “ Take heed therefore how ye hear (Luke 8 :18 ). We have all learned that the “ equal measurement in return” prin ciple applies in the case o f judging others, but we have not so learned of its application to our hearing the Word o f God. “ Faith cometh by hear ing, and hearing by the word o f God.” As we hear, therefore, so it is meas ured to us in faith. Witness the “ stony ground” hearers o f Matthew 13. They are the shallow ground listeners. They heard; they sprung up, but when “ the sun was up,” they withered away. Jesus interpreted their experiences as becoming “ offended.” Bagster de fines the word translated “ offended” thus: “ To be affected with scruples or ignorance toward any one as re- liia Maims nr nmt.pnRionS.” A second cause for spiritual stag gering is a half-way consecration. The g ift o f our lives to God is to be a “ living sacrifice,” and it involves the transformation o f our minds, and a non-conformation to the world (See Rom. 12:1, 2 ). If our offering is with out reserve we may “ prove” (test, examine, experience) the will o f God. Otherwise we shall stagger between our will and His will. The third cause to which we may trace this tendency is just plain un belief in the promises o f God, and an unwillingness to trust His providence. This is a well-known sin, and a preva lent one. It was the sin which made Israel stagger, and which causes Christians today to fall short o f their privileges in Christ. We are like the lady who deposited her precious savings in a certain bank only to return a few days later to draw it out. Upon receiving it from the teller, she immediately rede posited it, explaining that she only wanted to see if it were still there. Unbelief is wrong! It is more grievous (Continued on Page 82) T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
forward under God’s approval, or turn aside unto confusion.” Abraham “ staggered not,” but the Bible is full o f examples o f those who did stagger at the promises o f God through unbelief. Job’s wife leads the train o f these spiritual staggerers with her “ curse God and die” advice to her suffering husband. Asaph stag gered in his faith when he wrote in his Psalm, “ As for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.” Because he could not under stand mentally, he could not believe spiritually. Martha, hostess to our Lord, staggered spiritually because she did not properly evaluate material things. Peter, chief spokesman for the apostles, and outstanding New Testa ment example o f backsliding, stag gered in his faith because he could not understand the method o f his Lord. Scripture witnesses further that this grievous tendency to stagger in unbelief extends to groups as well as to individuals. Note, for instance, the case of Israel at Kadesh-barnea: a nation poised for realization o f the promises o f God in every way except in faith. They had arrived at the point o f entrance into the land. The spies had all returned the verdict that it was a good land. But the multitude could not see how they could take it. Behold a nation staggering at the promise o f God! Note the case o f the disciples when Jesus inserted a “ hard saying” into His message to them (John 6:58-59). The inspired comment is that “ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away ?” It was a definite jolt to their faith ; they all seemed to stagger for a moment, and some fell out entirely. Why Men Stagger Spiritually Not only does spiritual staggering portend danger, but in many instances it is tragic in itself. We must not be satisfied with exerting special effort at recovery when it comes, but let it be our solemn task to prevent such experiences. Hesitancy in the presence o f the revealed will o f God may spell disaster in experience or service. It is important, therefore, that we know
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