WALKING BY FAITH!

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

WALKING BY FAITH!

Heb 11:1

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

           We often love our miserable status quo and we struggle, as did the children of Israel, when we are facing change. We do not have enough information about what will be to release what is. To walk forward confidently requires a thing called faith.

           FAITH is Abraham acting on a tenuous promise of some unknown land. “and Abraham went out, not knowing whither he went. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

           FAITH is childless Abraham and barren Sarah counting stars and remembering that God had promised an innumerable host of children. “so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.” Doubt produced twelve tribes and Faith produced twelve more.

           FAITH may require sacrifice and the prospect of loss. Yet Abraham took his only son upon Mount Moriah without a lamb. “See, Father, here is the wood and the smoldering coals but where is the lamb.” Tearfully, Abraham responded in faith “God will provide himself a lamb.” Faith can be dramatic but often it is as mundane as doing the laundry.

           FAITH excludes all human scheming. Jacob wrestled with God and received a blessing but he thereafter walked with a limp. Faith rests in the machinations of God. Oh! But we hate to stand by and watch a God work when it seems He needs our help. Oh! What damage we cause when we try to manipulate the outcome.

           FAITH is simply making a choice as did Moses when he “chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” So, faith is doing the right thing especially when it is inconvenient or troublesome.

           FAITH means remaining steadfast through opposition as did the early believers. Heb 11:37-38 “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)”

Heb 12:1-2

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dear Lord, I’ve learned that faith is most difficult when it is most needed. Help me to have faith and to be faithful today. AMEN