God is forever faithful
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, What we see created by what we don’t see Hebrews 11:3 MSG
By faith...
... Called into existence by God’s word...
Only by faith are we able to see the uncreated become created. In other words, the world we see now became an existing factor by the faith we couldn’t see.
Faith + God’s word brings about a transformative result. Maybe that’s why Augustine of Hippo, Second century African-Roman Theologian says this:
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.”
Can I suggest to you that faith by itself cannot accomplish the outcome we see in Hebrews 11:3, how- ever, faith meshed together with God’s Word is what achieves the desired outcome we see in Hebrews 11:3.
In Matthew 17:20 Jesus tells His disciples:
“... If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Maybe that’s why James strongly reprimanded the early believers saying:
“... Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete...”- James 2:20-22
If we say we believe that God’s Word is infallible, do we speak it? When the enemy tries to steal our identity or tries to make us question our identity,
“Did God really say?...” – Genesis 3:1
“If you are the Son of God...” – Matthew 4:3
How do we respond? It truly makes no sense to say that we believe in God yet we do not speak His Word and watch Him change lives, circumstances and the world as we know it. It would be as ridiculous as someone saying “I believe in brushing my teeth; I just don’t do it.”
Last winter, I remember moving to a new city upon God’s request I left my friends and family and ventured into the great unknown where I knew absolutely no one. I didn’t feel brave, I felt forlorn, discouraged, depressed and forgotten. But I knew it was being obedient to God. This feeling I felt was not of God and it had to go. Enough was enough I couldn’t put up with it any longer. I got out my bible, my pen and paper and began writing a list of promises I knew God had spoken to me. This is one of it:
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised ;) – Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Everyday, I spoke these verses over myself and still do to remind myself of the God who is forever faithful. To say that my experience in this new city was rich is painting it lightly. It was above and be- yond! God truly opened my eyes to see His plans and purposes for my life and His church. In addition, I made relationships that continually alter the way I see life and treat people.
Odion Omoijiade