We all have exercised faith in one way or another. We have faith in the bus drivers to drive safely, or the car drivers to stop when pedestrians are crossing the street. When someone accepts Jesus as one’s personal Savior and Lord, faith in God comes to its first existence in one’s life. However, faith is not a one-time event or a seasonal fruit. Instead, it is a conscious choice to adhere daily. As you exercise regularly to train your muscle and keep yourself fit and active, faith needs to be exercised and trained daily to keep your “faith muscle” flexible enough to stretch when challenges come. As you may have realized, our lives are full of challenges. We face challenges every day and even many times a day. What do we rely on when facing challenges or making difficult decisions? What thoughts or ideas come to mind in such circumstances? And where do they come from? Are they from God or from the world? 

The Bible is full of examples of people living by faith. Hebrews 11 gives many examples of how people showed their faith in action. And they were all normal human beings like us. However, they knew their God well and relied on Him. The better we know a person, the better we can tell how dependable or trustworthy they are. The same applies to our relationship with God. The better we know Him, the more we realize who He is, the more we taste His greatness and faithfulness, and the more we depend on Him. 

“Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” Deuteronomy 7:9  

We know that He will never put us to shame (Joel 2:26-27). No matter how big the “mountains” are in front of us, He is much bigger. No matter how impossible a situation may seem, nothing is impossible for Him. Faith shifts our eyes from the challenges to God, who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than what we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

As Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Let’s make a conscious decision every day to lay aside every weight and sin and get closer to Him. No matter what you face today, choose to trust His promises and rely only on Him. Look only unto Jesus who is above all! Let’s meet again tomorrow to discuss how we can stay rooted in faith, especially during seasons of trials, tribulation and persecution. 

Prayer: 

Lord, I realize that I do not always have faith in You. Please forgive me for trusting other things than You. Give me faith to always rely on You with everything, every hour, and every minute of my life. Today, I choose to trust You, whatever comes my way. In Jesus’ name. Amen