God has been refining my perspective the past week. Last Sunday He had me crying at a church, in front of people I didn't even know, urging me to accept. Monday He had me conquering fear and anxiety. Tuesday and Wednesday He had me chatting with my women's group about my lack of fear and complete peace with what may come in the future.
Thursday He finished that work so profoundly that I find it difficult to explain. I was worshipping, kneeling down face on the floor, praising God. Words can't express the experience that transpired, but I know unequivocally that my relationship with God was forever changed that morning. I left my house reveling in His power, feeling His strength, emboldened by this new level of faith He has granted me.
This morning I turned on my Kindle and powered up my Bible Gateway App. Up popped my verse of the day, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Now, I must confess I haven't read much in Hebrews, but let me tell you, if you're struggling with faith start reading Hebrews. Hebrews 11 has struck me so deeply because it speaks of ordinary humans. Humans like me and you, just living their lives. But because of their faith, not their intelligence, or skill, or job, or education, their faith- their stories live on thousands of years later. Here's pieces of this chapter:
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
So, to recap...By faith Noah and his offspring were saved and chosen as the restart button of our kind. By faith, Abraham left all he knew and because of that generations following flourished in the promised land. By faith, though barren, Sarah conceived a child, which in turn, by faith, were born descendants as many as the stars. By faith Moses led his people out of Egypt, by faith the Red Sea parted and they escaped. By faith the walls of Jericho fell with only some marching and yelling. The list goes on and on.
Because of their faith, God showed up in powerful ways. If you're struggling with a life issue today, I pray that this post gives you encouragement, empowers you to be bolder, and draws you closer to the One Almighty God. All of these people listed above were struggling with something that on their own was insurmountable. Yet each and every one of them witnessed the power of God, by their faith in God.
My take away today? Don't just pray to God about the struggle, pray to God for an increase in the gift of faith. Pray for an increase in the knowledge and the power of the One who created us, lives in us, and loves us.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
No comments:
Post a Comment