Knowledge Nuggets

FAITH

Someone asked me, “Why is it so hard to have the faith that God's plans are the best for us?”

Sometimes it is hard to realize that what we want and what we’re trying to hold on to are all going to fall into pieces when it’s not what the Lord has for us. Our spirit wants to do what the Lord’s perfect will is for us, but a lot of times our flesh doesn’t like it. Letting go can be one of the hardest experiences of our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

In the natural - we like to maintain some semblance of control. We like to know that we're taken care of in every way we know how. Sometimes taking a step out on faith gives us the feeling of being in a free-fall. It's like jumping off an airplane - but you have doubts or fear as to whether the parachute will work. The doubt and fear cause us to never even get on the plane. If we'd just get on the plane, close our eyes and jump, we'd realize that not only do we have on a HUGE parachute, but also there's a stuntman’s style air mat for us to land on.

As Christians, we are grafted in and considered the seed of Abraham. God’s faithfulness was proven over and over again to the children of Israel. He knew and wanted what was best for them, even if they didn’t always listen to Him. In the case of the Israelites that were brought out of Egypt, their lack of faith and trust in the Lord caused them to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years. It caused one whole generation to not be able to enter the Promised Land.

Numbers 14: 20-23
The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times - not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

The Lord is faithful and protects those that serve Him.

Lamentations 3: 22-26
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Psalm 33:1-22
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

The Lord honors our faithfulness – Peter was able to walk on water until fear and doubt clouded his faith. Not stepping out in our faith keeps the Lord from being able to do what he would like to do in our lives.

Matthew 13:57-58
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

We must not let fear and doubt cloud the faith that we have. God can move miraculously in our lives if we just step out in faith.

Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"

The Lord is looking for us to show our faith. Stepping out and living in faith will be what stands us out amongst the world.

Luke 18:7-8
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

John 14:11-13
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

Romans 12:1-3
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

In going back to the airplane analogy – get on the plane, take that jump and be prepared for the ride of your life!

Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."