Keep The Faith

Faith is personal. Strong as a bear. Shaky sometimes. Easy in the good times. Hard to hold on to in challenging times. A light in the tunnel and the lifeboat in a storm. What is faith? Simply put, it is trust in God. It is “the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” (Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG)

Faith is that necessary trust in God that carries you through when nothing else can or will. It’s what you hold onto in those dark hours or in hard times, especially when you see no way out. Faith keeps you going when everyone else tells you to throw in the towel. Faith gives you the strength to make that final push toward your goal or your purpose. If you want to understand faith in action, here’s a great example.

Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got out that He was back home. As He was teaching the Word, people crowded all around and jammed the entrance to the home so no one could go in or out. A crippled man who was carried on a stretcher by four men approached the home. They must have heard about the healing power of Jesus. When they couldn’t get through the crowd, they went up on the roof, cut a hole in it, and lowered the man down. Jesus was so impressed by their bold belief that he told the crippled man His sins were forgiven. (Mark 2)

Their faith was their firm and bold foundation that made life worth living. It was their unshakeable, undeniable handle on what they couldn’t see—trust in the healing power of the Lord. They persevered in the face of an insurmountable situation. Imagine them approaching the home and having a conversation about what to do. They may have talked about how impossible it looked or even contemplated coming back another day. But someone said, “Keep the faith!” and in agreement with persistence, that’s exactly what they did.  

These men kept the faith and let nothing come between them and Jesus. They had bold, unshakeable faith that somehow they would make it through. And they did. Jesus rewarded their faith. What obstacle or situation is standing in your way? What goal or purpose is being blocked? What dark tunnel of doubt do you find yourself in? Keep the faith!

Do not let the enemy plant doubt in your mind about what our Lord can do or what you can do through Him. There’s an old hymn that says, “There is no secret what God can do. What He does for others, He’ll do for you.” What Jesus did for the crippled man, He can and will do in your situation, if only you will keep the faith. Your hope is found in your faith, so climb those mountains, push through those obstacles and have faith that Jesus is right there working with you.

“I’m striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living! I stayed faithful, though bedeviled.” Psalm 116:9-11

“The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a mustard seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!” and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.” Matthew 17:20-21

Prayer

Lord,

Search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. I come to You weary and burdened, and You give me rest. I trust You, so I take Your yoke upon me and learn from You, for You are gentle and humble in heart, and I will find rest for my soul. For Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. My faith in You gives me confidence in what I hope for and assurance about what I do not see. Thank You for the measure of faith You have placed within me. Help cultivate it in every area of my life as I fully yield to You. Amen!


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