Faith Build Series 4: Get Into God's Presence

hands holding a burning candle*

The problem was so heavy. Wearing me out emotionally. Mentally. A painful problem, full of rehearsals and angst. 

In the unseen realm, the enemy laughed at my torment. Tell her more lies. Make her feel alone. Tell her even God can’t fix this.

 

At some point it hit me. The battle became obvious. And when I go to battle, I often turn on worship music. Music that extols God’s goodness and might. Jesus’s victory on the cross. His victory for us. For me. And the more I celebrated Him via that music, the smaller my problem got. The more I believed God would come through for us. He will turn it all around for good because we’re called according to His purpose. He will perfect that which concerns me. 

He cares. 

And the darkness receded. The lies were abolished. God’s light invaded and the pain was replaced with victory. Sure, things were dark before, but they would get better. They had come to pass. Temporary. Whereas God’s goodness and power are forever. And the victory Jesus won for me is forever.

God’s presence helps us see things from His perspective—more objectively. This perspective helps us endure. Sometimes we feel alone because we haven’t opened ourselves to His presence. He’s holding our hand (as He promises in Isaiah), but we don’t sense His nearness. So, turn on the worship music. Get into His Word and His presence. Agree with God’s goodness. Let Him push back the darkness.

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He will help us. He will grow our faith through the trials we face.  We don’t have to face them alone. Almighty God goes with us, holding our hands, saying to us “do not fear for I am with you.” 

An experience in His presence will cement that truth and build your faith. 

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*photo credit: burning candle by Sommai from freedigitalphotos.net

Faith Builder Series: Part 3--Remember God's Promises

Sky and seascape*

We’ve been talking about how we can best build our faith as we’re waiting on God. First, our faith is encouraged when we look at what God has already done in our lives. Our testimonies themselves are a powerful faith builder. Then, we discussed how focusing on what God has done for others builds our faith. There’s a pattern in the Word of people reviewing what God had done for others as they waited on Him. 

Today, let’s talk about how reviewing God’s promises can encouraging our faith. 

A lot of times, these trials of our faith occur when we’re waiting on God to fulfill a promise.

Sometimes His promises are personal. Other times, we can mine them from His Word—these are the promises that all His people can claim. 

Let’s focus on the promises He’s specifically given you. First, has He ever fulfilled one for you?

Once, I turned a promise from the Word into a prayer and He granted it. I didn’t see the fruit until about ten years later, but there’s no denying the miracle. 

As we see what He’s already answered, we’re encouraged during the wait for His next answer. And we can be sure He will fulfill every single promise He’s ever given us. 

Here are some Scriptures I hang onto when I’m waiting on Him to fulfill a promise to me or my family:

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

(Psalm 138:8 NKJV)

And:

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well,

for I am ready to perform My word.”

(Jeremiah 1:12 NKJV)

So good! Question: if He is ready, perhaps the delay is Him making us ready.

Look at that same verse in the Modern KJV:

And the LORD said to me, “You have seen well;

for I will watch over My word to perform it.”

(Jeremiah 1:12 MKJV)

And one more:

I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

(Psalm 138:2 NKJV)

Be encouraged! He hasn't forgotten His promise. He honors His Word above His name (meaning He takes it very seriously). If He promised you something. He. Will. Do. It. 

One final verse:

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

(Isaiah 55:9-11 NKJV)

 

 Amen!

_________

*photo credit: "cloud and seascape" by samuiblue at freedigitalphotos.net