Faith

Be still and Wait on the Lord

What does it mean to live in faith?

It’s at times giving up on financial and physical security, trusting that the Lord will provide; not worrying about whether a job will come through, because we know that if God wants us in a role, He will make a way for us, and if we need food, water or shelter, He will provide.

Faith is not entertaining pathways that destroyed us in the past and which God has warned us about. It’s not reopening doors that we know through experience Satan will be behind. For God is the only door for the faithful, and if His name isn’t on it, it isn’t for us.

It’s standing still and waiting on the Lord, and not rushing into relationships, purchases, projects or environments when God has promised us something else or instructed us to do something different. It’s trusting that God will answer our prayers, even if it’s taking longer than we expected.

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Faith is giving up vices that we held onto because we believed we couldn’t continue without them. It’s turning to God in prayer when our bodies and souls are under attack by the enemy: he who comes to keep us bound in old, destructive ways. It’s believing that God can heal our afflictions and end all addictions.

Mark 10:52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

It’s living and thinking as if no weapon formed against us can prosper because what is in us is greater than the adversary. It’s not resorting to New Age practices, magic, witchcraft, or the laws of power, because we believe that the Ancient of Days can do all things, and we must only worship Him and get out of the way.

Faith is making choices knowing we are destined for eternal life, unafraid of the worldly consequences that come with following Jesus on the Cross. It’s trusting in the revelations God has given us in his Word and through the Spirit, regardless of what our eyes are showing us or what earthly powers are telling us.

It’s trusting in and acting on the warnings God gives through dreams, signs, and inner whispers; be it building an ark, moving to a new land, or preparing for disaster. It’s believing in His omnipotence and ability to communicate with us in a multitude of ways. It’s knowing deep in our hearts that He cares about us.

Hebrews 11

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faith is the fountain spring from which comes hope, peace, and victory. It’s praying, knowing and acting on the understanding that with God all things are possible. It’s hope in things unseen but ever-present: a refuge and stronghold for those on a mountain top or in the darkest of valleys. Faith is a gift from God and the way to God: it’s worship through thought and action.

Matthew 21

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 

22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”