So what does fearless faith look like? How do I get it? Like the father who came to Jesus, is it a matter of only asking? “Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief?” (Mark 9:24) We look at some of the Patriarchs of Faith and we marvel at their strength; somehow, believing that they were super human and that we could never be like them. We see Job who lost everything in a sudden series of disasters proclaiming, “Though He slay me; yet, will I trust in Him.” (Job 15:13) We see Abraham, willing to take His son Isaac to be offered in sacrifice; trusting and believing God (Hebrews 11:17-19, Genesis 22). There was Joseph who forgave all the evil perpetrated against him because He understood God’s guiding hand in all of it. (Genesis 45:5-8, Genesis 50: 19=21) We see Moses with the Egyptians closing in, the Red sea before them, and the Israelites complaining boldly say, “Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you today.” (Exodus 14:13). The Apostles despite persecution, imprisonment, and impending death could not be silenced in going throughout the nations preaching the gospel of Christ. We look at all of these and we say, “But I am not them. I don’t have that much faith?”
“Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you today.” (Exodus 14:13).
Artwork courtesy of Ronald Barba ©2013
Ah yes, but neither did they at the beginning of their journeys. They learned faith through many trials, sorrows, and pains until they were able to finally see the Glory of God as being their most precious gift. They sat at the feet of God through many storms and trials, learning of who He is. They learned of His love, His grace, His mercy, His patience and His willingness to reveal Himself to them. Faith comes as we watch the mighty hand of God carry us through every storm. Many times, it is His Grace that
allows the storms that we might see how mighty He is when He calms the storm or leads us through. (Psalm 107:25-31) He sometimes has to rip from our hands the counterfeit joys we cling to so we might finally realize that He is our joy. At other times, He rips our pride from us so that we are humbled before Him. Only then freed from our own self-exaltation, can we truly see His Magnificent Glory and rest peacefully in His Omnipotence. Sometimes, because He loves us He waits like He did when Lazarus died, so that He might display to us His Glory and we might learn of Him. (John 11:5-6).
So how do we gain great faith? Perhaps these steps will help you along this path toward fearless faith.
1. Great faith comes from great sorrows and great trials. When you are facing some great trial, pray that God reveal to you His purpose in that trial. He does not allow anything in the life of His Adopted Children that is not ultimately for their good and their happiness.
2. Rejoice in the fact that God is not content in leaving us where He found us; but, rather is always about the work of changing us into the person He knows we will be in our Christ like state. He knows that the only way we can experience true joy, love and glory is in that transformed state.
3. Do not become mistakenly burdened by the trials that you must face, carrying your cross with solemnness until the day you die. Remember that He, the risen Christ is yoked with you and lifting that burden so that you are freely resting in Him. Is that not reason to rejoice and rest in His promises?
4. Study His word that you might know more of who He is. The more you know of God, the less fearful you will be.
5. Never forget how much He loves you. He loved you enough that Christ left the splendor of His throne to suffer, be tempted without sin (which is a higher temptation than we know), and to bear the full wrath of God against sin so that we might be saved. There is no greater love.
6. Remind yourself of Zephaniah 3:17-19 “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. I (the Lord) will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I (the great I am) will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.” Note that this is not dependent on your ability to love God as you should, it is fully dependent on His love. Resting in His Love He will cradle you in His arms as a mother cradles her child and sing a lullaby of joy until all your sorrow becomes joy.
I hope this helps you wherever you may be along this journey of faith. I know that there is so much more that I must learn; but, I can tell you that I would shed every tear and suffer every sorrow again that I have passed through only to know Him as I know Him now. My greatest desire is to seek Him and know Him more; even if that means I must walk through treacherous valleys of tears to stand in His presence. I rest joyfully, peacefully in His arms today.
©2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork used by written permission ©2013 Ronald Barba and can be purchased at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/this-is-sparta-ronald-barba.html
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.