Hebrews 11:1-2 - What is faith? It is the
confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the
certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it
up ahead. Men of God in days of old were famous
for their faith.
It is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. This unknown
writer nails the essence of what faith should be to anyone that believes in
God. He uses the word confidence to describe how our hearts should feel about
God’s character in the beginning of our journey. He uses the word assurance to
describe how we should grow to trust also God’s promises as we mature and grow
in faith.
I loved the analogy of a birthday celebration in my Life
Application Bible. True faith is that
feeling we had when we were younger in the days preceding our Birthday. We got excited at the expectation of a gift…even
though we usually had no clue what it might be. We just knew it would be great…and
trusted our parents with the choices.
I read the list of names and their testimonies that lived beyond
the season God allowed them to be on the earth….and I marvel at what they were
able to accomplish with faith. There were so many at the end he stopped listing
names and just listed the details of the testimonies. Some were raised with faith and others came to
know it through the lives of those that God placed in their pathways.
Not one of these people were perfect at the beginning of
their journeys with God. Some questioned
…even laughed at the prospect of the promise God wanted to fulfill with their
life. But at some point…with continued searching…study and prayer…they all
stopped saying why me???? and started saying Ok…Use me. They began to trust God with the vision….and
let him guide them through the difficulties that might come as they grew in
faith.
Here’s my struggle with faith. I know I am not at the beginning of my
journey. I can see clearly how some of
the things I have been through have given me a deeper faith. But I still find myself in Moses mode…making excuses…or
in Noah mode…working on something that seems to have no purpose for me now. …still
questioning God why? Begging God for details…instead of just saying ok...I will
do whatever you ask…even if it means giving up the thing I love most … like
Abraham.
Father…thank you for the reminder that Faith is an important
part of my choice to follow you. Forgive
me for the times that I have lacked faith…and let the doubts and imperfections
I see in myself limit who I can be for you. Help me to throw off that last bit
of hesitation to follow you completely. Help me see the visions of my
imperfections as the things you need to still change in me to be who you want
me to be…and use my time with you to search and pray for how to fix them. Amen.
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