When Faith Gets Practical
Last week, we looked at what the Bible has to say about the reason for sin, sickness, suffering, pain, and death in our world today. (If you did not read last week’s blog entry, I highly recommend that you check it out and read it before reading this one.) This week we will look at some ways to live with hope, even in a world full of sin.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:14, 15, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” Isn’t that comforting? We can know that God will hear and answer our prayers! Let me share with you a quote from one of my favorite Christian authors:
“When a man breathes an intensely earnest prayer to God (Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved), there is in that intensity and earnestness a pledge from God that He is about to answer that prayer exceedingly abundantly, above all that we can ask or think … Unwearingly persist in prayer. God does not say, Pray once, and I will answer you. His word is pray, be instant in prayer, believing ye have the things ye ask, and ye shall receive them; I will answer you” (Prayer, p. 220).
We can have that hope, we can have that assurance that as soon as we come to God in prayer, He is ready, He is willing to answer that prayer (See the story of Daniel in Daniel 9:3-4, 20-23)! So whenever you think that your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling, remember these prayer promises, claim them, and “come boldly unto the throne of grace,” that you may obtain mercy, “and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus, speaking to His disciples one day, made this amazing statement: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 8:22, 23). Faith in God works wonders for the Christian. Through faith, God can accomplish His will in our lives. Faith also helps us grasp hold of the promises of God and realize that this life is not all that there is. There is hope, even in a world marred by sin!
Let me explain. In the Old Testament, we read about a man by the name of Job. Job was a wealthy person, as well as an upright man. In fact, the Bible even describes him as one of the most righteous men who have ever lived! Satan took note of this, and one day, he told God, “The only reason why Job puts his faith and hope in you is because You bless him so much! Take away all that he has, and he will apostasize and renounce his faith in You.” So God allowed Satan to take away Job’s possessions – Satan took everything but Job’s health. Job couldn’t understand what was going on. But in the midst of his distress and great loss, he was still able to say, “The LORD gave, and the LORD taketh away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). What faith! But that was not all. Satan brought up the argument that losing possessions and even family did not really get to Job. No, he argued, You must take away his health – then, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt – he will surely curse you to Your face! So God allowed Satan to take away Job’s health. Job had a severe case of boils that itched, and he could practically do nothing except sit down in a pile of ashes and scrape his sores. But it was then that the immortal words came out of his lips: “For I know that My Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:2-27). He had faith in the promise that one day, God would set up an everlasting kingdom here on earth in which there would be no more pain, sickness, suffering, or death. He had faith in God, and that sustained him through the trials that came his way. We can have that same faith, we can have that same hope in God. Speaking of the Old Testament heroes of faith, the Bible tells us that “these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraces them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). They took hold of God’s promises by faith, and we can do the same.
Let me share with you some of the powerful promises of Scripture that have sustained me through times of trial.
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, not depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38, 39
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will well with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:3, 4.
These verses have greatly encouraged me, and I pray that God will use these powerful Bible promises to encourage you in your walk with God, as well.
Whenever you encounter a test or trial in your life, (1) always remember that God hears and answers prayer, (2) have faith in God, (3) taking hold of the promises in God’s Word. And God will give you the strength that you need to overcome that particular trial or test in your life.
- Remember that God hears and answers prayer.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:14, 15, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” Isn’t that comforting? We can know that God will hear and answer our prayers! Let me share with you a quote from one of my favorite Christian authors:
“When a man breathes an intensely earnest prayer to God (Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved), there is in that intensity and earnestness a pledge from God that He is about to answer that prayer exceedingly abundantly, above all that we can ask or think … Unwearingly persist in prayer. God does not say, Pray once, and I will answer you. His word is pray, be instant in prayer, believing ye have the things ye ask, and ye shall receive them; I will answer you” (Prayer, p. 220).
We can have that hope, we can have that assurance that as soon as we come to God in prayer, He is ready, He is willing to answer that prayer (See the story of Daniel in Daniel 9:3-4, 20-23)! So whenever you think that your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling, remember these prayer promises, claim them, and “come boldly unto the throne of grace,” that you may obtain mercy, “and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
- Have faith in God
Jesus, speaking to His disciples one day, made this amazing statement: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 8:22, 23). Faith in God works wonders for the Christian. Through faith, God can accomplish His will in our lives. Faith also helps us grasp hold of the promises of God and realize that this life is not all that there is. There is hope, even in a world marred by sin!
Let me explain. In the Old Testament, we read about a man by the name of Job. Job was a wealthy person, as well as an upright man. In fact, the Bible even describes him as one of the most righteous men who have ever lived! Satan took note of this, and one day, he told God, “The only reason why Job puts his faith and hope in you is because You bless him so much! Take away all that he has, and he will apostasize and renounce his faith in You.” So God allowed Satan to take away Job’s possessions – Satan took everything but Job’s health. Job couldn’t understand what was going on. But in the midst of his distress and great loss, he was still able to say, “The LORD gave, and the LORD taketh away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). What faith! But that was not all. Satan brought up the argument that losing possessions and even family did not really get to Job. No, he argued, You must take away his health – then, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt – he will surely curse you to Your face! So God allowed Satan to take away Job’s health. Job had a severe case of boils that itched, and he could practically do nothing except sit down in a pile of ashes and scrape his sores. But it was then that the immortal words came out of his lips: “For I know that My Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:2-27). He had faith in the promise that one day, God would set up an everlasting kingdom here on earth in which there would be no more pain, sickness, suffering, or death. He had faith in God, and that sustained him through the trials that came his way. We can have that same faith, we can have that same hope in God. Speaking of the Old Testament heroes of faith, the Bible tells us that “these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraces them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). They took hold of God’s promises by faith, and we can do the same.
- Take hold of the promises of God’s Word.
Let me share with you some of the powerful promises of Scripture that have sustained me through times of trial.
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, not depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38, 39
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will well with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:3, 4.
These verses have greatly encouraged me, and I pray that God will use these powerful Bible promises to encourage you in your walk with God, as well.
Whenever you encounter a test or trial in your life, (1) always remember that God hears and answers prayer, (2) have faith in God, (3) taking hold of the promises in God’s Word. And God will give you the strength that you need to overcome that particular trial or test in your life.
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