We Need To See Something

Without faith it is impossible to please Him… —Hebrews 11:6

"Faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life. Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus Christ first. The life of faith says, “Lord, You have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word" Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

I woke up this morning with the thought “Seeing is not a requirement for believing.”  The Spirit was speaking to me. That ever happen to you? Probably, but perhaps you didn’t realize that was who was speaking to you when it did.  

To know something to be true without evidence is different from “thinking” something might be true.  Faith is spiritual and works on another plane than our natural reasoning.  Sometimes I know that I know, but don’t know how I know.  I struggle because I try to filter a "faith-fact" through my natural mind.  Thomas struggled with believing that it was Jesus standing before him, until he filtered it through the natural man – “I must touch his wounds!”  Jesus then said “Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.” (John 20:29)

Can you .. .will you trust Jesus even when what you are trusting Him in is contrary to reason?  I did not say contrary to God's revealed will and Word of God.  Faith facts will always be consistent with who God is and His truth. But it may not make any sense - naturally.  Martie and I find ourselves in that place all the time.  The hazards (if you will) of our calling.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says not to lean on our own understanding.    In other words, faith comes first.  Understanding will follow … most of the time.  

When I was in Army Basic training at the ripe age of 18, I had one particular drill sergeant, SSGT San Felice.  He was 6’2”, had red hair, and was from Puerto Rico.  He also had a very thick accent.  Being a "farm boy" from the mid-west, I was not familiar with foreign accents. He told us .. “I don’t care if you don’t understand me, you better do it!”  I think I did a lot of unnecessary pushups! Well, our life in Christ is that way in some respects.  We hear God, we don’t understand what was said, but we know what was said and then we doubt God.  

The disciples did that during the storm.  Peter did that while walking on the water.  We do that when God says do something that makes no earthly sense.  It means that we have to give up our worldly confidence and rest in God’s faithfulness. Friend, that is the life we have all been called to.  

“We live by faith and not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7  

What is it that God is telling you to do?  You must choose.  And by the way, to do nothing is making a choice ... and that choice is not for God.  

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15

Think about it – Believe it  - Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone