I have been busy with “a situation” that has arisen over the last few days. In going through this “situation”, I have been pondering some questions. So follow me through this, if you will…..
A situation arises. It presents a crisis, a need for prayer. It is something only God can remedy, truly. It is out of our control (who knew we cannot be in control of all things at all times?? Joke, joke!).
We pray & read Scripture like nobody’s business because that is all we know we can do.
Then comes the progression of Scriptures. One verse after another until something stirs in us & we realize, God could be showing us something regarding our situation. It could be Him.
Do we share it with the other person in the crisis mode with you?
     Do we keep it to ourselves?
              How do we know it is God speaking to us?
        Why is this journey with God so uncertain, so full of questions at times?
Over the last few days, I think I have found the answer to that last question. It is because…..
              Whether we like it or not, this journey with God is a walk of faith!
I know. The big “DUH!” moment. I heard you! But seriously, have you noticed that this journey of life truly is a walk of faith. And we do it, by faith. Whether we like it or not, faith can make this journey harder. Harder than we might enjoy. Harder than we would even dare to admit.
If we would admit it, there are times that we fear being perceived as: having too little faith.                                    Â
Yet if we speak out, we fear being perceived as: being nuts, over the top in our walk. And what if we are wrong? What if it doesn’t turn out the way we have spoken?
Scripture tells us this about faith:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”            (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).
Do you see the dilemma? We are hoping for something but we cannot see it. Our human eyes cannot see the outcome. At all.
Other versions will even help clarify this:
- “NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” (The Amplified). Â
- “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.”        (The Message).
- “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” (NET).
- “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (NLT).
It is so hard to find the balance with faith. Over the last few days I have become convinced that I would rather err on the side of faith. I would rather believe God for too much than for too little.
Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We live by faith, not by sight.” The New American Commentary explains this:
“Living by faith & not by sight means that as we walk with God we have no literal pillar of cloud or fire to guide us as Israel of old had.” (page 265).
There are times we are not going to be able to prove how God is leading us from outward appearances. Many times life will just not seem to make sense. Yet we are told that, “This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Hebrews 11:2). God was pleased with them. He delighted in their decision to trust Him in spite of what their circumstances appeared to be.
I want to believe Him for more. For no other reason than,
           “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)
                             And I so want to live to please Him.
