According to Your Faith
In Hebrews 11:1 we read, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” While traveling in New England off the coast of Cape Cod, I saw a ship far in the distance of a great expanse of just water and sky. I was in the same waters that the Pilgrims traveled when they first came to start a new life in America. With high hopes that they were headed to a new and better life, men and women journeyed to a place they had never seen. What tremendous faith it must have taken to endure the hardships they faced.
Even though we are blessed with provision, we too face hardships much like those recorded in the Bible. In the New Testament we find accounts where Jesus commends the faith of those who come to Him, trusting that He is able to do what would seem impossible. The Roman officer had faith that Jesus could heal his servant by simply speaking the word. The friends of a paralyzed man were so confident in Jesus’ power that they lowered him on a mat through the roof. Jesus, seeing their faith, forgave the man of his sin and healed him, commanding, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” When the leader of a synagogue came to Jesus and declared by faith that even though his daughter had died, “you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her,” Jesus faced the crowd that laughed at Him and as He took her hand, she stood up – alive.
While on His way to the official’s home, a woman demonstrated her faith by simply touching Jesus’ robe. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” There are accounts of Jesus healing the blind, delivering a Gentile woman’s daughter from a demon, healing those with leprosy, and filling a boat full of fish where there had been none. In each instance, Jesus responded to those who came to Him with faith, believing that He was able to meet their need by doing things that seemed impossible. The key in each instance is spoken by Jesus in Matthew 9:28-30a (ESV) “When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened.”
The records that reveal the tremendous hardship of those who traveled in the Mayflower paint a picture of pain, and despair, yet by faith they held on to the hope of what they could not yet see. Often, we find ourselves unable to see resolution when faced with the pain of challenges and difficulties. Just as those who encountered Jesus face to face, we must trust God. We must come to Him with unwavering faith believing that at all times and in every way, God is ready and able to meet our needs. Isaiah 65:24 (NLT) tells us, “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” Through these difficult times, God is working out something good in our life as well as in those we bring to Him in prayer. Jesus gives us this invitation, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) It is the goal of Satan to create chaos, stealing our peace. Let us declare our faith in the faithfulness of God and trust that at all times and in every way, God is ready and able.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Yes. I affirm my faith this morning in his plan, his answers. I believe for Iris and her husband, for another friend whose needs are the same, and for the others I’ve been praying for. I believe and agree here with those of like faith. God is able.
Yes, God is faithful and just; I need to trust Him walking with me through the valley.
I’m so thankful that God is faithful, even when I’m not, I can always lean upon Him. Good Word today.