Walking By Faith

WALKING BY FAITH

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 New King James Version).

A couple of years ago, my family and I went to an amusement park.  We had a great time and I was excited to discover I can still get on all those rides I loved when I was a kid.  My husband and I enjoyed spending time with our daughters, and son-in-law.  My husband is not much of a spinning ride person, but I am.  There’s one ride I went on with my daughter, and it reminded me of how, when we walk by faith, we may be walking blindly, but God sees everything.  The ride we went on went forward at first.  I like forward, I can see where I’m going and get an idea of what’s up ahead.  But then, after a couple minutes of going forward, the ride slowed, then stopped and then switched to reverse.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like going backward.  Not just because of the strange sensation of riding backward and having no control, but being at the mercy of the ride itself.

When we walk by faith, in a sense it’s as though we are walking backwards.  We can’t see what is ahead of us, and we don’t know where our feet will end up; however, the trust we place in God that He will take us where we need to go is how we build our faith.  Walking by faith means we let go of control.  We give God the wheel and move from the driver’s seat.  We may come to what appear to be obstacles, but in God’s eyes they are opportunities for faith building.  Every obstacle we overcome increases our faith.  God may be calling you to step out in faith for a ministry; for a family member; for a new job; He may be calling you to move and go where you’ve not been before.

As we learn to walk by faith, we learn to not look with our natural senses, but with our spiritual.  Trusting and building faith are ways that God uses to strengthen our Christian walk and we can’t have one without the other.  We cannot say we have faith in God when we still want to maintain control and ignore where He wants to take us.  We cannot say we trust God when we seek people and worldly ways to remove our obstacles.  We have no faith or trust when we give up and turn from those obstacles and remain where we are. Our Christian walk is not a walk if we are not moving.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this blessing of a new day.  Thank You for the encouragement that today brings, for every new opportunity to overcome the obstacles that are placed before us.  Thank You for loving us so much that You desire to build our faith and trust in You.  We know that all things are for our good and Your glory!  Father, guide us on our walk today.  Jumpstart those that have become still and unmoving.  Turn those that have gone back; may our hearts become filled with growing faith and trust.  Father, we love You and we desire to go where You lead us.  Give us ears to hear, eyes to see and wisdom to know when You are moving us.  We give You all glory, all honor, all our praise and all our worship.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Attitude of Worship: If God is trying to take you somewhere and you are too scared to go, get your Bible out and begin to read and be encouraged by those who went before you by faith.  Hebrews 11 & 12 are great chapters to be encouraged by.  Begin to seek His face, read His word and increase your faith and trust.  God is moving forward and we need to be with Him.

Additional Scriptures:  Hebrews 11 & 12

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Shalom,

Prudence