I keep coming back to faith. This life of faith is vital to our sojourn here on earth. In fact, it is faith that pleases God. Faith undergirds all of life. In defining faith, we see a confidence and reliance on the God of heaven who is sovereign over all.
Confidence in the God of Heaven
We glimpse the greatness of God in creation. The sunset and sunrise testify to his faithfulness. Moreover, the rushing falls and the towering mountains attest to the power of God. The vastness of the heavens profess the infinite sovereignty of God. His care is declared in the design of every leaf and flower. Most importantly, God affirms his love through the rescue plan he put into motion for his creation. A plan that would send his beloved Son to die in our place, so that we could be freed from the punishment of sin. Within all of this evidence, there is a faith that reaches out in hope and yearning for our Creator.
In those moments, of beholding the beauty of creation our faith seems to make strides. On the other hand, when we find ourselves blindsided by the heaviness of life we are apt to forget the One we cannot see. We forget that He does indeed see us.
Questions and doubts arise when the dark clouds of circumstances swirl around. In the darkness, our spiritual vision is obscured and the way through is not seen. It is in these moments, we must counsel our heart to keep the faith. We must place our confidence in the One who oversees it all.
Isaiah 50:10
“Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.”
God’s Faithfulness Remains
Our God is one whom we can place our trust in. We must stay upon our God even when the way is unseen. In the darkness, his power is not abated. Within the turmoil, God’s faithfulness continues. Moreover, his love for you remains, in spite of emotional winds that blow your way.
It is faith in this One who offers forgiveness and freedom, rescue and relationship that will take us through the hard of life. When doubt comes knocking, run to your Refuge. Renew your faith by reminding yourself that God is a “rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6). Call on the One who has not relinquished his power.
When Peter stepped out on the water at the call of the Master, He went in faith. In that moment, he believed that what Jesus called him to do, He would perform. His eyes were on Jesus. It was only when his eyes fell to the raging storm and billowing waves that doubt took hold of him. Consequently, he began to sink.
When Faith Falters
Can you imagine how Peter must have felt? One moment he was doing the impossible and then all of a sudden it fell apart. Peter began sinking beneath the treacherous waves that surrounded him. What just happened? He turned his eyes away from the Sovereign God and onto his circumstances. His confidence and trust wavered. The circumstances became bigger than his God. Peter’s perspective changed when his focus changed.
Have you been there? Life is going good. You’ve met with God in prayer. Each day the Word has brought encouragement and strength to your heart. You have overcome the temptation to hit the snooze one more time. Determination has colored your daily choices. You’re doing the impossible of walking through life victorious. And then it all falls apart. An unexpected storm sweeps in upon you. You feel the ferocity of the wind and experience the waves battering your life. You lose sight of the God of Battles.
When the shadows deepen and the circumstances become the focus in our life, we too will begin to sink. Our faith wavers. Doubts will swarm and death is imminent unless we call out to the Master in faith as Peter did.
The Place of Confidence
The God who Rescues will answer as you turn your eyes of faith back to him. The One who has went to such great length to save us will not abandon us. Our part is to place our faith and confidence in the Lord God. Your confidence in God will be rewarded.
The question Jesus asks is “Why did you doubt?” After all the evidence of my power and love for you why did your faith waver? Don’t let the doubts take hold, but continually turn with eyes of faith to Jesus. With our faith firmly placed on the Rock, Christ Jesus, we will make it.
It is only faith in the God of Heaven that will be enough for this life. Remind yourself that the Father truly loves you and will be faithful in spite of adversity. Readjust your vision to see the God of the impossible. Discover that place of confident trust in your Creator.
“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength…”
Isaiah 30:15
Is spiritual weakness dogging your footsteps? Do you lack the vigor to continue on? Maintain your faith by turning to the the Lord God and choose trust instead of doubt. Find rest in reliance. Moreover, it is in the place of confidence in God that we find the strength to go on.
Faith is the victory for our life. Not faith in ourselves nor in the things this world offers. But a faith in the God who is enough for whatever we face. Our confidence and reliance on God will prove his faithfulness to be true.
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