What Is Faith?
How do you describe such a powerful force like faith? It can be defined more accurately without actually using the word:
The Lord is my revelation-light to guide me along the way; he’s the source of my salvation to defend me every day. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run from you, Lord; surround and protect me. Psalm 27:1 (TPT)
Here is a vivid description of faith, and yet not one time is the word faith used. The Psalmist knew by faith that God would guide him, defend him, surround and protect him. He did not fear the unseen, the unknown, the aggressor, or the enemy. He was assured "by faith’ that God was going to be with him in every and all circumstances. This is going beyond a head knowledge of what faith is to a heart knowledge. That heart knowledge enabled him to withstand every plot and attack brought to him by King Saul. It carried him through the years in hiding, the years fighting, the years even after he was anointed king, when tests and trials came his way.
This is the kind of faith that we all need. No one knows what lies ahead in their future. We can plan, set goals, take precautions, get check-ups, follow a rigid dietary program – and even with all that – surprises come. It’s been said that if you want to make God laugh, just tell Him what your plans are! We are so limited as to the outcome of our tomorrows that if we knew how much most of us wouldn’t make any plans at all – and that’s not what God wants.
I believe since the first of mankind were gatherers, and the next agrarian, going down generations to only us being flat out consumers – I believe He wants us to plan, to set goals, to go after dreams, big dreams. Yet, He wants us to seek Him first, before we make the plans; then throughout the execution process; and finally leave to Him the results. God made us and is not trying to take away our creativity or our ambition; He stands in the shadows awaiting an invitation to enter into the affairs of our lives. When we give Him that initiation, He sees to it that:
...the Lord will be the Savior of all who love him.
Even in their time of trouble God will live in them as strength.
40 Because of their faith in him, their daily portion will be
a Father’s help and deliverance from evil.
This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in him! Psalm 37:39-40 (TPT)
Selah,
Maria