Living By Faith
(Photo by Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash)
Faith is the path to freedom. Remember when you first found Me? Remember when your eyes were opened to the realization that I was the Savior of the world and if you wanted to spend eternity in heaven, you would have to have faith that I would save you? You knew there was nothing you could do to save yourself, but it was by grace through faith in Me? That faith you exercised then is the same faith it takes to live your life now. If I have the power to save you for eternity, don't you think I also have the ability to keep you from or through whatever you are facing? I am the answer. Just as Moses left the land of Egypt by faith, not fearing the king's wrath because he knew I was the One who was able to rescue him. He could try to run, but I am the One who made the way. And I am still the One who makes a way.
You are going through some things right now that are hard. Among those things is a child (or a brother, sister, mom, dad, spouse) who no longer follows Me. You want so badly to fix it and to say the right things but in your heart you know You are not in control of the choices someone else makes. You need Me just like Moses did. I won't give you all the answers up front so you will have to trust Me. You will have to live by faith, not by sight. But I promise you; I will never leave you or forsake you. I will be right there the whole time. Don't be afraid...I have got this!
Be honest with Me. I can handle your pain or your disappointment, but until you allow Me to do what only I can do, you will get in the way. What if Moses had decided a different way of escape would work better? What if he had sent out scouts to figure out the most likely way of getting out alive? Moses had no idea my plan was to part the Red Sea and then close it back up when the Egyptian army was in the water. He was simply following Me. Do you remember how afraid the people were? But Moses did not give in to fear. Instead, He talked to Me about it.
Some answers come quickly, and others take much longer, but that doesn't mean I'm not there the whole time. When you live by faith, there will be a freedom that goes beyond explanation. Does that mean you won't still have moments of doubt or fear or impatience? Of course not. You are still human. But as the song below says, don't be afraid to step, because even if you fail to fly, I'll catch you by surprise. Everyone who is born of God overcomes the world. How? The victory comes through your faith. Freedom happens when you are living by faith!
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, Colossians 2:6 (ESV)
It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He
kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 (NLT)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the
LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And
this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 1 John 5:4 (BSB)
Surprise
[Verse 1] Look at the stars hung in the sky Who put them there? Who gives them light? No ocean deep could hold His grace Follow His lead and He'll make a way [Pre-Chorus] He broke the fall when He rose from the grave He changed it all in a matter of days No matter how great the problem we face We gotta remember He stays the same [Chorus] When you just can't face tomorrow When you're down deep in the sorrow When your faith is on the edge Don't be afraid to step 'Cause even if you fail to fly He'll catch you by surprise He'll catch you by surprise [Verse 2] Don't be afraid, stand on your feet His hands of love hold everything All that we know can't comprehend His perfect will and His perfect plan [Chorus] So when you just can't face tomorrow When you're down deep in the sorrow When your faith is on the edge Don't be afraid to step 'Cause even if you fail to fly He'll catch you by surprise He'll catch you by surprise [Bridge] When you're fading in the fight He'll catch you by surprise, oh-ooh And He won't let go He will turn the dark to light Right before your eyes, oh-ooh He won't let go [Chorus] When you just can't face tomorrow And when you're down deep in the sorrow When your faith is on the edge Don't be afraid to step 'Cause even if you fail to fly He'll catch you by surprise He'll catch you by surprise He'll catch you by surprise