When Faith Fails

We all have faith in something or someone. It is a natural human tendency to believe, even if we just believe in our self. Humans are usually optimistic and hopeful.

We believe that the sun will come up tomorrow, our job and bank account are secure, our car will start, the chair will hold us when we sit down, our children will grow up to be successful and happy, and a myriad of other concepts using faith.

Yet, when we let our self down, or the object of our faith fails us, what happens to us? Our hope is shredded, we get discouraged and we vow never to trust again.

At best, it takes weeks and sometimes years to have the courage to believe in anything once again. We may start to believe and then give up, feeling the pain of our former disappointment.

There is only one secure object of our faith and devotion: Jesus Christ. He is exceptionally dependable and perpetually faithful (Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19).

We see His hand in His creation (Romans 1:20), in a kind word, a child's delight, a friend's smile, a flower growing in the crack of the sidewalk and in normal, everyday life.

Jesus gives us His joy and peace in exchange for our misery and defeat. He provides all of our needs according to His glorious riches. He deeply cares about us individually.

Yet, to believe in Christ for salvation takes humility. We humble our pride, surrender to God's hand on our life and pledge to have faith in His faithfulness.

Prayer:

Father God, until we experience Your sovereignty and blessings in our life, we find it impossible to have faith in Your faithfulness. We cannot see or hear You; yet we feel your presence, order and power all around us.

Increase our faith in You and help us to cling to You when everything else in our life fails us. Bring peace to our soul even in the midst of the worst trials and tribulation, so that we can live as an example of your faithfulness to Your children.

Thought for the Day:

We can trust in God's faithfulness, even when we do not see a solution to our problems.

The Bread of Heaven

All of humanity is made in the image of the Trinity (Genesis 1:26). We are a triune being: body, soul and spirit. Prior to salvation, our spirit is dead in sin. 

We enjoy controlling our own life and we have no need or desire to think about God. In fact, thoughts about God, which intrude on our conscious mind, disturb us and make us feel uncomfortable.

We run from this conviction and reject people who cause us to feel this way. We forget that the “Hound of Heaven” is constantly pursuing us to draw us into His loving embrace. 

Once we capitulate to His sovereignty, we wonder why we took so long to submit to His call and relinquish control of our life to Him. When we finally surrender to God, life is no longer a struggle (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 4:10).

Salvation is the first step in our walk with God. The next step is sanctification: the process of holiness. God’s Holy Spirit changes us from one stage of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Each stage brings us closer to perfect union with God (Ephesians 2:1-5). The more intimate our relationship with Him grows in the Spirit (John 4:24), the more intimacy we want with Him.

Some Believers are content with their fire insurance from hell and they live a shallow, carnal life, without this intimate union with God.

Yet others often feel like we are in a desert, so we thirst for more and more of His Living Water (John 4:14). We hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Our spirit longs to receive more nourishment from the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

Prayer:

Father God, even though we cannot sense you in our physical body, our spirit and soul – our mind, will and emotions – feel Your presence every day of our life (Deuteronomy 31:6). 

We form this union with You by spending time in Your presence as we go about our day, consulting You and relying on You as we follow Your Spirit’s direction. When we pray, remind us to listen, as well as to commune with You from our heart.

Thought for the Day:

Do not despair if God seems silent; He is simply enjoying your companionable silence.

A Perfect Union

All of humanity is made in the image of the Trinity (Genesis 1:26). We have a triune being with a body, soul and spirit. Prior to salvation, our spirit is dead in sin. We live in prideful rebellion. We enjoy controlling our own life and we have no need or desire to think about God. In fact, thoughts about God, which intrude on our conscious mind, disturb us and make us feel uncomfortable.

We run from God’s conviction and reject people who remind us of Him. We forget that the “Hound of Heaven” is constantly pursuing us, drawing us into His loving embrace. Once we finally yield to His sovereignty, we wonder why we took so long to submit to His call and to relinquish control of our life to Him. When we surrender everything to God, life is no longer a struggle (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 4:10).

Salvation is the first step in our walk with God. Our spirit is finally Born Again. Then we embark on a journey toward holiness. God’s Holy Spirit changes us from one stage of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18). Each stage brings us closer to a perfect union with God (Ephesians 2:1-5). The closer our relationship with Him grows in the spirit (John 4:24), the more intimacy with Him we want in our life.

Some Believers are simply content with escaping hell, and they live a shallow, carnal life, without this intimate union with God. Yet others often feel like we are in a desert, thirsting for more and more of His Living Water (John 4:14). We hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6; Psalm 107:9). Our spirit longs to receive more nourishment from the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

Prayer:

Father God, even though we cannot sense You in our physical body, our spirit and soul – our mind, will and emotions – feel your presence every day of our life (Hebrews 13:5). We form this perfect union with You by spending time in Your presence as we go about our day. We consult with You and rely on You as we follow Your Spirit’s direction. When we pray, remind us to listen to Your Voice, as well as to commune with You from our heart.

Thought for the Day:

Do not despair if God seems silent; He is simply enjoying your companionable silence.