Monday, January
2, 2017
Faith shows
the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through
their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
It was by
faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another
land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And
even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he
was like a foreigner, living in tents. And
so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was
confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed
and built by God. Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-10(NLT)
As the year changes it’s
typically time to think about how things went in the previous twelve months,
and then do a little forecasting as to what the next year might bring. Perhaps there is a new challenge on the
horizon, or an old problem that has resurfaced.
Maybe you face a new opportunity that calls for a decision.
That was certainly Abraham’s situation[ii]
when God called on him to pick up everything that he called home and family and
move out. It was a tough decision because
God hadn’t even named the place, let alone what Abraham would do once he got
there. The poor man didn’t have Google
maps or a real estate agent; God just told him to go.
How do you make decisions
based on that kind of slim information?
The author of Hebrews didn’t equivocate; it was faith! You start by faith – you walk by faith – and you
finish that way!
For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17(KJV)
Walking by faith doesn’t mean
blindness. God expects us to investigate
where He’s leading by the signs he promises to show us. The question we all have is: Just how do I know what is God’s leading, and
what isn’t?
Well, that’s also,
ultimately, a matter of faith, isn’t it?
But there is a starting point that I’ve discovered over the years that
puts some meat on the bones of faith.
That starting point always has prayer as the door. If you want to walk in faith, there is no more
certain beginning than to hit your knees and lay out the uncertainty of your
heart to God. Remember what James said:
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will
give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5(NLT)
Now, that’s the asking part –
even a child knows to ask. What about
the knowing; how can you separate God’s answer from everything else?
My answer for that has always
been clearer, and proved itself out in the day-to-day of life when I bring my
submission to the table. It’s something
like this:
1. I pray for God to show me His will on doing “A” as
opposed to doing “B”
2. I submit that I don’t know which is best. “A” has been my longtime pattern; “B” seems
to be a wonderful opportunity.
3. I confess that I want “B” to work out, but my first
desire is not to miss God’s desire for my life.
4. I explore the pros and cons of “A” versus “B”, trusting
God will reveal to my heart how His will is leading to His highest blessing for
the sake of His kingdom.
This is the
part that’s like Abraham moving out on faith, not having all the facts,
figures, spreadsheets and contracts. If
there’s a change God wants me to move-out to claim, praying for His will is one
of the ways I’ve seen that keeps me from letting Russell’s carnal nature make
decisions that I will regret. If you’re
going to walk in faith with God, you’ve got to begin with faith that submits to
God’s will, not your wants.
For You Today
So, what’s
going on in the beginning of this new year in which you hear God calling? And, by the way, no contracts, no guarantees
come with the “God-walk” of faith; remember, it’s the evidence of things NOT seen!
NOTES
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