STRONG FAITH 1
ROMANS 4:17-21
And being not weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Romans 4:19
Abraham’s life has always served as a reference point for faith. He is even described as the father of faith. This does not mean that he is the source of faith, he is called that because of his exemplary life of faith. Have you ever faced a hopeless situation? Abraham “had to believe against hope.” Are you surrounded by deadness in any area of life? Abraham’s case file read, “his own body, already dead…and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” Despite all of these, the Bible testifies, “and not being weak in faith.” This implies that he was strong in faith.
Weak faith considers the physical realities. It looks at the things which are seen. Abraham “considered not” the seeing of the physical eyes. He looked at “the things which are not seen.” His faith rested on his being fully persuaded that “What He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Strong faith is fixated on God rather than the mountains before it. It sees the greatness of God rather than the magnitude of the problem. Focus on God today and see the circumstances lose their significance in the presence of your Father God.
PRAYER: Father, today I look away from the mountains that surround me and fix my eyes on You.
STRONG FAITH 2
2 CHRON. 20:17-22, ROM. 4:20-21
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, Romans 4:20.
The Amplified translation of our memory verse reads thus: “No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,” Strong faith is defiant in its praise of God. Situations don’t determine its worship. Abraham gave praise and glory to God. The Bible recorded the effect of giving praise and glory to God: “He grew strong and was empowered by faith,” he was “strengthened by faith.” The believer is one who glorifies God in good times and bad times. You can raise your hands, amid the pains and tears, and glorify your maker. Your worship is irritating to the devil. The devil wants you to complain and get bitter. He is after your joy and worship. Don’t give in.
When you worship in the midst of the storms; you are saying that the battle is the Lord’s. You are handing over your battle to the One who is invincible in battle. You are resting on the everlasting arms of God. You are depending on the One who is mighty to save. Strong faith cries out, “I know my Redeemer lives” when all seems lost. It doesn’t waver or stagger at the promises of God. It has God as its only hope and option. There are no doubting questions. As you praise and glorify the Lord, you are strengthened and empowered; your faith is energized. This is how to keep your faith strong. Glorify God today and diminish the problems.
PRAYER: Lord, I give glory to You today amid my challenges, my faith is strengthened and the victory is mine. Amen.
DIVINE STRENGTH 2
ISAIAH 40:27-31
“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Some of us started with much zeal but are now weak and wearied. The Lord has promised to strengthen such people if they wait on Him. We will always fail and fall if we trust in ourselves, but if we wait on the Lord by faith, we will receive His strength for the journey. To wait does not mean to sit idly and act impotent. It means to hope and look to God for all that we need. When we pray; we are waiting on God. When we meditate on His character and promises; we are waiting on God. When we seek to glorify Him; we are waiting on God. Like the shedding of old feathers by the eagle and the growth of new feathers, so the Lord renews our youth (Ps 103:5). The word “renew” means “to exchange,” this is the exchanging of our weakness with His power (2 Cor 12:9)
Maclaren had this to say, “According to the law of physical life, decaying strength and advancing years tame and sober and disenchant and often make weary because we become familiar with all things and the edge is taken off everything. Our text goes on to portray the blessed consequences of this continuous communication of Divine strength: “They shall run and not be weary.” That is to say: this strength of God poured into our hearts, if we wait upon Him, shall fit us for the moments of special hard effort, for the crises which require more than an ordinary amount of energy to be put forth. It will fit us, too, for the long, dreary hours which require nothing but keeping doggedly at monotonous duties — “They shall walk and not faint.” Someone once said, “As we wait before Him, God enables us to soar when there is a crisis, to run when the challenges are many, and to walk faithfully in the day-by-day demands of life.” May this be our testimony. Amen.
PRAYER: Father, I receive Your strength today to walk in power and serve You without burning out. Amen.
CONFRONTING CHALLENGES
1 SAMUEL 17:42-51
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
The Bible says that if we faint in the day of adversity, our strength is small (Proverbs 24:10). This implies that our strength must be boosted before adversity comes. The day of trouble is not the day for boosting strength, rather, it is a day for utilizing strength. Dear child of God, you are promised strength. The One who never fails nor is weary has promised to empower you. In the day of adversity; fear not. When fiery trials confront you; do not be discouraged. When all around you is crumbling; do not panic. The everlasting One with the everlasting arms is your God! Divine help is guaranteed. He has said, “I will help you” and you can take that to the bank. He has promised to strengthen you against the pressures to come. There is no matter before you that is beyond you. If it is before you, then, you have been strengthened to face it.
David was courageous when he faced Goliath because he remembered God’s promises. He knew that he had been strengthened to face Goliath. He was assured of divine help to defeat Goliath. David’s heart was filled with God’s promises so much that he saw the appearance of Goliath as an opportunity to utilize strength. Draw strength today from God’s promises in His word. No matter what comes your way, you just have to remember His promises. When you do that; hallelujah becomes your victory chant. Do you remember God’s promises when faced with troubles, or do you get fearful and resort to man’s help?
PRAYER: Pray and fill your heart with God’s promises so they will spring up as strength by default at the sight of trouble.
THE BASIS OF FAITH
EXODUS 14:15-28
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. Hebrews 11:29
Faith must be based on God’s word. In other words, the word of the Lord must be its foundation. There is no faith where the word of the Lord is not known. Faith must not be based on sentiment or need. Faith does not lean on a need to impress or compete. Pharaoh and his army didn’t receive any word from the Lord. They were in the circumference of the faith of another. This was the reason for their drowning; they attempted to do the same. They were presumptuous to a fault. The pressure to “do the same” as another destroyed them.
Some have slipped because of this pressure. The fact that God acted in a way with another does not mean He will act the same way with you. You may drown in the sea of frustration if you keep attempting to express faith based on another’s conviction or revelation. Many among the flock of God fall into this trap. They attempt to do what God has not told them to do. In the name of “stepping out in faith,” they carry weights beyond the strength of their shoulders. They forget that the word of God forms the “assurance of things hoped for.” Have you heard God’s word for yourself today? Exercise faith today on the foundation of God’s word, not on assumptions or presumptions.
PRAYER: Lord, I am determined to spend time with You, so I’ll hear Your word for myself and be in faith. Amen.
FAITH’S CORRESPONDING ACTION
JAMES 2:17-26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26
A step of faith! Most of us have heard people say this and we may have said it too. Often, the challenge is in the practice. The story is told of a village that was experiencing drought. Rain was the chief desire of the people. To handle the issue, a solemn assembly of fasting and prayer was called. On the appointed day, all the people gathered at the village square to pray for rain. All assumed they had faith that their prayers would be heard. But only a little boy came with an umbrella. He was the only one in step with faith. “And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” Matt 14:28-29. Peter had to act on the word of the Lord to walk on water. He achieved this feat because he went beyond hearing and believing to acting. Faith must walk the talk. Many among us have heard the voice of the Master and received His promises but we have been reluctant to act.
Faith always has a corresponding action. Do you believe that Jesus saves? Then, share the gospel Do you believe that God has granted you righteousness? Then live accordingly. Do you believe that “you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover”? Then go lay hands on sick folks. Has God given you a word or a particular promise? Then start taking actions that correspond to His word. Faith must lead to obedience. The believer is saved through faith in Christ alone without works, but faith that fails to produce works is like a corpse; it has the form of a living being but it lacks its breath and actions.
PRAYER: Today, I believe God’s word and promises over my life. My actions correspond to my faith in God. Amen.
UNWAVERING FAITH
JAMES 1:6-8, ROMANS 14:23
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Faith is believing in the integrity of God. This means that you trust the capacity, and the person of God to fulfil His words. Therefore, a faith that wavers can be seen as an unstable faith that is easily tossed about by feelings, opinions of people, circumstances, etc. And doubts the abilities of God. When you lack personal knowledge of someone, it is easy to entertain doubts about the person. In the same vein, faith in God stems from knowledge of who God is and what He can do. It is trusting in God irrespective of the uncertainty of life. The currency of receiving any request from God is faith.
When we entertain doubts, we are expressing our uncertainty about God’s abilities, this is an affront and it presents God as a liar. Have you had to deal with a loved one who betrayed you? How did you feel? God feels betrayed when we profess His word with our mouths but doubt in our hearts that He can perform what He promised. Be challenged to be as firm as a rock with the words of your mouth and the convictions of your heart about the certainty of God’s promises.
PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will strengthen You to maintain an unshaken faith in His word and His abilities.
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