Living by Faith
Good Morning Friends,
Ever wonder what in heaven’s name God is up to with all the pain and suffering and killing and lying and crazy stuff that goes on in the world? Look at what just happened in Kenya and don’t you wonder where the justice is in, well just pick a place?
You would not be the first. Now you are maybe thinking about Washington D.C. Ok there too. But here is the point to start us out… when life does not make sense we are somehow forced into a surprising reality. Somehow, someway, we are moved into Living by Faith.
Scripture: God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head. God Says, “Look!”
Habakkuk 1:2-4 (MSG)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:17 (KJV)
Message: To Habakkuk it appeared at first that God was not doing anything. He is baffled and does not understand how God could use evil and unrighteousness to judge something not nearly so bad. Then God answers him and keeps repeating…”The Righteous will live by his faith.” The psalmist put it this way:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 27
See! What we thought we knew we did not know at all. Now consider whether or not our faith in God makes sense. Did it make sense for country of Israel? One would have to say yes for against all odds the country is there today. Did it make sense for Jesus? Well yes, even though he died, God resurrected him and sits with him in heaven even now. Well what about Abraham? Ok sure the story maker of our faith journey had a faith in God before it was even popular. So there you have it God is worthy of our faith after all and in our life too. Maybe living by faith in God is the only way to salvation.
Pray we are putting faith in the right things. Pray we have faith in more than just ourselves. Pray we have faith even when it contradicts what we know or what we think we know about God. Pray friends we believe that God is worthy of our faith. Pray we stop focusing on what we do not know or understand and begin focusing on what is in plan sight. Pray we see community through the eyes of faith in our children. Pray we have faith in Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 