THE ESSENCE OF
FAITH
During my time of
prayer, I received a somewhat surprising revelation: FAITH IS NOT THE ABSOLUTE ABSENCE OF FEAR.
At first glance, this seemed somewhat counterintuitive to my understanding of
the Word. Although the Bible teaches that “perfect love casts out fear,”
in practicality, most of us have not yet arrived. (I John 4:18) So, for
myself and the remainder of the cadre of ‘imperfect’ disciples, FAITH may be
understood as moving forward THROUGH the
shadows of apprehension and doubt.
Oftentimes, faith
is stretching TOWARD The
Word, tentatively and awkwardly, like a novice swimmer holding hopefully to a
flotation device. As such, one’s faith could be compelled to make this
honest admission: “I may feel shaky and unsure, but I refuse to rely solely on
my senses. So I will not stop short of mastering my struggles, my
limitations and my challenges – by way of a PURPOSEFUL DECISION to believe and
trust whatever Heaven declares concerning me and mine.”
Now hear another
important insight. Our momentary uncertainty is not synonymous with “the
spirit of fear.” The scriptures reveal that the spirit of fear is a
malignant malady that originates in hell. (II Timothy 1:7) Rather, in the
faith-fight of believers, we become focused on God’s mandate to wage proactive
personal combat against doubt and fear. Though we may not always readily
SEE His light, we continue to spiritually SENSE its presence and power.
Oswald Chambers
wrote, “FAITH IS DELIBERATE CONFIDENCE
IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD, whose ways you may not understand at the
time.” Thus faith mobilizes us to deliberately embrace and trust in whatever
is promised in the covenant, without experiential knowledge of the future, while
remembering and reflecting on the spiritual triumphs in our past. (Philippians
4:8) According to the Apostle Peter, we disciples are “fighting the good
fight of faith,” which enables us to “lay hold onto eternal life.” (I Timothy
6:12) As Augustine wisely stated, “Faith is believing what you do not
see; the reward of faith is seeing what you believe.” Think about it.
Therefore, through
any circumstantial uncertainty, faith teaches us to trust GOD who surely will address any and all unresolved
issues. For HE is the panacea, the cure-all, i.e. the answer and the
ultimate solution for every human condition. Trusting Him is key to
manifesting perseverance in the storm. Although we may not SEE calm seas
or dry land, we believe that they are indeed there, simply because GOD says
so.
Such spiritual
vision requires having a heart trust, not a head trust, but a heart trust in GOD. It means
knowing that He loves us enough to surround us, sustain us and satisfy us with
genuine peace, unspeakable joy, transforming love and ultimate
fulfillment. In the midst of every wave of crisis experienced by Job, he
testified that true faith is all about KNOWING
THAT GOD KNOWS “the way that I take.” (Job 23:10)
In 1882, Louisa
Stead and William Kirkpatrick penned the classic hymn, “Tis So Sweet to Trust
in Jesus.”
’Tis so sweet to
trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I
trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Amen! Amen!
Amen!
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