ICS Daily Devotions
Establish Your Faith on the Word of God
Hebrews 11:1,6 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…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 dlilgently seek Him.
The Bible tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Therefore, the Christian lifestyle is a lifestyle of faith, from now to eternity. According to Henry R. Newell of Moody’s Bible Institute, faith is a giving substance to (making real) hope-for-things, of things when they are not yet seen. Faith says, “I have it!”. “Things not seen” shows there is no consulting of human faculties or “feelings”.
What gives substance to your faith is the Word that God has spoken to you personally, —the Rhema Word. Therefore, faith has to be established on God’s promise and a personal word from Him. Our faith is bound to waver if we walk out our lives without a word of promise from God or an assurance from the Holy Spirit. Faith is not established on a prophetic utterance by a speaker, although it can act as a confirmation, nor is it established by asking for a sign. It is necessary to have the Word from God to build our faith upon because without the Word, it is silly, wishful thinking and even presumptuous that God is in it.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Faith is believing you have received once God has spoken to you personally, even though you have not seen or experienced it yet, and we should hold onto this conviction. It is unfortunate that many believers give up half way because they are too used to being moved by what they see, hear or experience rather than to stand on the promise and to have patience. It is normal to be affected emotionally, so our faith can be shaken by seeing or hearing what’s contrary to what we believe. However, don’t quit if you are convinced that you have heard from the Lord! It is a fight of faith between choosing to believe what we have heard from the Lord and what we are experiencing, and it is a choice to stand on what you believe and focus on Jesus.
God has never intended for any of us to face life’s challenges alone, which is why He has placed us among a community of believers in a church to love and be loved, and we need to have one to two faith-filled friends to journey with us, remind us of the Word given to us and help us refocus on Jesus when we feel shaken. Let us keep our eyes focused on God and His spoken Word to us in our walk of faith!
Sermon Series: Friends (Part 2) – Facing Test, Trials and Tribulation with Our Friends
