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Living Justly
Living Justly
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17)
The importance of living every waking moment of our life by faith in God can never be overstated. The writer of Hebrews tells us that faith is the foundation, the support of our confidence in God and that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:1, 6). Not only does the writer tell us what faith is but he also tells us what faith can do. Our faith makes it possible for us to believe the incredible (Hebrews 11:2, Genesis 1). Our faith makes it possible for us to perceive the invisible. Hebrews 11:27 tells us that Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the king: for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. I love this passage; I cannot literally see my God but through the eye of my faith in him, I behold him every day of my life (Psalms 19:1; Psalms 139:1-14). In all the world around me, I see him in his goodness shown through his mercy, longsuffering and help (Psalms 27:13-14, 31:19, Rom. 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9). My heart may grow weary but I will never despair because I can endure as seeing him who is invisible Heb. 11:27). Never forget, not for a moment, that faith based on the promises of God can accomplish wondrous things (Heb. 11:29-31).
We are constantly being reminded that there will be times when we find ourselves facing harsh, difficult times, times when we will be engulfed with events that trouble our hearts, often causing pain and sorrow that test our faith. An attitude of relying on the Lord for strength and courage to overcome the difficult times in our life is evidence that we are living by faith in the Son of God who loved us and died for us (Gal. 2:20).
I am reminded of a man named Caleb. In Joshua 14, Caleb is about to receive his inheritance in the land of Canaan. His inheritance is inhabited by strong people living in well protected cities. Caleb is 85 years old; the task is going to be very difficult and dangerous but he is not afraid to take on this task because of his great faith in God. To Joshua he simply says, “Give me this mountain, if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out.” What a soul stirring thought this is for you and I, “Give me this mountain, if the Lord be with me, I shall be able.”. We are weak, frail human beings, very limited in our abilities but there is no limit to the power of our God and so long as we are faithful to him, he will see us through whatever it is that befalls us.
Right now, the beautiful words of Isaiah 40:28-31 echo within my heart, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth does not grow weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him that lacks might he increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
O for a powerful faith in God where there will be stability and security for our soul.
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
