“For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervour, thus we walk] not by sight or appearances.” 2 Cor 5:7 (Amplified)
It is a given that genuine faith will in the course of its expression be tested and refined in order to be maximally effective. Nevertheless, there are times when the conduct of faith defies all logic or commonsense. So, what should we do in such situations? What should you do if acting in faith means cutting across the grain as opposed to going with the flow, which is the predictable natural inclination? This boils down to the very character of faith, the definition of which in Heb 11:1 is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hence, the fact that we do not yet see the end of our faith does not necessarily mean that it is non-existent or unrealisable. It simply means that we should hold on to our original conviction that was birthed by our confidence in God’s word and which gave rise to faith in our hearts. So, even when our situation deteriorates and circumstances are saying No! we simply refuse to heed their call as we focus on God’s infallible and unalterable word and remind ourselves of the fact that God had already declared a resounding Yes! to us and that nothing can stop us from achieving that end.
Abraham too had to negotiate this challenging road with respect to the birth of Isaac at a time when he and his wife were already deemed too old to have a child together. He could have allowed the physical obstacle of age to get in his way of pressing into God for the release of that promise. However, the bible says that He grew strong in faith as he gave praise to God because of his firm conviction that God would not lie and that what He had promised He was able to finish. Rom 4:16-21. Another case in point was the story of the Israelites’ crossing of the River Jordan. When Joshua gave the order for the people to move into and possess the land God had promised to them, the Jordan was then in flood. From the human perspective, this was certainly the worst time to pick to cross that swollen river. Nevertheless, the Israelites stepped out in faith and once the feet of the leading column, the priests, who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant, touched the edge of the river, a miracle happened. The river immediately ceased its flow and allowed the Israelites to pass through on dry ground.
Therefore, understand that it is not every time that we step out in faith that things will be easy or that they would make sense to us. By its very character, walking by faith means being sure of what we are expecting and certain of what we do not yet see in the firm confidence that God would fulfil His promise and act when required. So, even if nothing makes sense presently, be assured of God’s word that they that put their trust in God shall never be put to shame. Hold on to God’s greater reality instead of the reality that is presently assailing you and God will honour your faith.
Prayer:
Lord, from your word, I understand that once you have said yes, nothing and no one can countermand and say no. I pray that you strengthen my faith and help me to hold on to your promise irrespective of the difficulties Satan might bring my way to dislodge it from my grasp. Help me to not only step out in faith but to keep going until I reach the end you have prepared for me and in so doing cause my life to prove that your promises are indeed yea and amen in Jesus name.