Faith Is...

The other morning I woke up extra early. Within minutes, I had numerous thoughts about the upcoming day racing through my mind. When this happens, it is more tiresome for me to lay in bed than to just get on up and sit, be still with the Lord, holding a warm cup of coffee in my hands. So, I rolled out of bed…In the summer, my "quiet place" is a specific spot on the screened-in-porch. On this particular morning, it was still dark outside…very very quiet. Ahhhh.Even though it was dark, I knew the landscaping that existed just beyond the porch: the crepe myrtles with pink blooms, the green grass, the rounded bushes, etc. Although, I couldn't see these things, I was certain they were there; darkness did not mean the existence of nothing. This got me to thinking about the biblical concept of faith. And then these questions came to my mind:What if I believe God's word with the same certainty as I believe in the unseen landscaping that exists before the morning light? What if I know that I know that I know that every word of God is true and good and just? Would I live differently? I want to.If His word says, Do not fear, I am with you, do I believe this truth whole-heartedly? And if Scripture says, Be kind to one another, am I living this command convictingly? And if His word promises, I will come again, and receive you to Myself, am I holding this gift expectantly? (Is. 41:10; Eph. 4:32; John 14:3)Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1The thing is, God's word is more real than the crepe myrtles that stood in the dark just outside of my screen porch. His word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to jusdge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12Hold God's word, my friend, as your ultimate reality. Take all His truths, His commands, and His promises and live by them. See the unseen. And then, as the Lord sheds His light on His truths in your heart, watch expectantly for beautiful things to take place all around you. His word will pierce your darkness.

Let us press on to know the Lord, His going forth is as certain as the dawn. Hosea 6:3