03/19/2019
How strong is your faith? You might pray for a miracle, but without faith it stalls before it can rise before the throne of God. No prayer is heard and acted upon without the wings of our faith having been attached to it. Are we like Peter in our prayers? Do we begin to walk on water, but look around us, falter in our fear and wavering faith, and then begin to sink?
“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."”
Romans 4:20-22 ESV
I knew a woman who was at the end of her rope. She was about to lose everything she owned because of debt. She had been praying by night and working at ways to make more money by day. Finally, she was out of ideas, and her prayers changed. She prayed that she couldn’t do this, and asked the Lord to take it all... the entire financial problem. Then on the verge of bankruptcy she found peace, having latched onto an unwavering faith that God’s Will would be done in this matter. She was ready to accept His desire concerning her future, and to praise Him no matter what He thought best. Well, the next day she received a check by certified mail... it was an unexpected return of money that she had overpaid on a debt in the past, and it salvaged her finances. Listen to these words written by Charles Spurgeon...
“Faith promises every attribute of God for my defense. It helps me to defy the hosts of hell. It allows me to march in triumph over my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything from the Lord?” - Charles Spurgeon
Do we have the faith that is required to lay back into the arms of God, and trust in His promise of provision? Are we encouraged by the bravery that only faith can bolster when we pray “Not my will, but yours be done?” It is so hard to let go, but that is the foundation of our faith... complete trust in God.
“And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes."”
Mark 9:23 ESV
Addicts know the promise of their cure. In the shaking tremors of delirium they mumble the phrase “Let Go, Let God!” From between clinched teeth. In the midst of temptation when the full strength of their addiction is wooing them, and they begin to sweat, they shout out in defiance “Let Go, Let God!” In the rubble of lives that were once good, but have now been destroyed by the drugs, alcohol, sex, or perhaps another addiction, they claim the victory in God by faithfully consoling themselves with the phrase... “Let Go, Let God!” Faith is the gasoline that powers the engine of our belief in prayer, and with it our journey is made possible. We can have the finest car, and everything about it can be in perfect working order, but without gasoline it can’t leave our driveway.
“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"”
Mark 9:24 ESV
What does the gauge of faith read in our lives? Do we need to call out “Let Go, Let God”? Do we need to pray these words “I believe; help my unbelief”? Unwavering Faith, it sews the wings onto the back of of our prayers, and makes all things possible! It allows miracles to happen, it keeps us atop the waves as we walk on water, and it renews our lives as they flounder in the throes of addiction. By our faith all things are possible!
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."”
Matthew 17:19-20 ESV
As we go about our day today, let’s look to God’s Word, and find the wings that have been missing from our prayers. Let’s concentrate on our faith, and make it the fuel of our belief in God’s promises. Today let’s bring miracles back to life in our lives by wrapping our prayers in an unwavering faith in Jesus, and God... let’s walk atop the water of our troubles!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the faith I find in the revelation of your Word. Thank you Father for your will in my life, and the courage that faith provides me as I seek to walk within it. Increase my faith Holy Father as I ask that my belief find renewed strength. Keep me ever faithful, and take the doubt from me that causes my faithfulness to quiver in the face of my enemies. Help me to trust in you without fail, and to keep my faith firm in your promises. Hear my prayers Merciful Father, and answer my call for help from amidst the rubble and turmoil of my life. Lead me Lord Jesus by your example, and make the will of my Heavenly Father known to me Holy Spirit as I pray. This is the day of my faithfulness; the day that my belief grows strong, and I lean against your mighty right arm. Today I Let Go my self-will, and trust in you for all things. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who strengthens our belief by faith, and answers our prayers by so doing. Praised be your Mighty Name, and blessed are we as we walk by faith in your will.
“For nothing will be impossible with God."”
Luke 1:37 ESV
Rich Forbes