God is Faithful- Do I Have Faith?

Today was one of those Sundays when I really didn’t want to go. It was one of those Sundays when I’m really glad that I did go.

We missed last Sunday {forget why} but I gather that the ‘theme’ for the next few Sundays is about faith. Last week was about Grow In, Grow Up, Grow Out; pastor gave a quick recap. Today was titled Faith for the Growing. Here are some things I picked up:

Ultimately, faith begins where man’s power ends. It is when the “possible” becomes “impossible” that we see what kind of faith we truly have. Many have “faith” but what do they have faith in? If it isn’t in God, then their faith is misplaced and worthless. An example that Pastor gave is when we pray for someone who is ill to the point that only a miracle can heal them, we pray for the doctors to have wisdom and for God to touch that person with his hand; to heal them. However, when the doctors say there is no more they can do, we often stop praying for healing and instead shift to comfort in their last days. Why do we stop praying for healing when the doctors say there is nothing else they can do? God is able to do anything!

There is no glory for God in what is humanly possible. The glory is when he does the impossible. And he does it all the time.

The scripture we read from for today was 1 Samuel 14:1-23. This is about Jonathan fighting against the Philistines with faith in the Lord. Jonathan knew that it looked impossible to fight the Philistines but with God there are no restraints. There is nothing God cannot do.

God can and does that which seems impossible to our minds- what is impossible for us. However, if we do not have faith that he will do it, he won’t do it. If we do not believe he will, he will reward us with the faith we have placed in him- we see no miracles; the impossible remains impossible. When we believe that which he can do is when we see the great works. Jesus said in Nazareth that no prophet is honored in his own country and he did not do miracles for the people to see (Matthew 5:53-58). They did not have faith in him and therefore that was their reward.

If there is ‘nothing happening’ in my life, is it because God isn’t working- or is it because I am not having the faith I need to see his great works? Definitely some food for thought for me. I have been feeling…out of sorts lately and even if I am not exactly sure why, this is a good place to start looking, I think.

Here are some verses that deal with God’s faithfulness:

• Psalm 32:8 {worry}
• Philippians 4:19 {needs}
• Hebrews 13:5-6 {‘do it yourself’-er}
• 1 John 1:9 {guilt}
• John 5:24 {doubt}
• Isaiah 26:3 {fear, panic}

A few years ago someone had told me that when we worry we are fairly telling God that he is not good enough to help us with whatever it is that we are worrying about. Today Pastor said pretty much the same thing. When we worry we are in essence telling God that we do not believe that he will do as he has said. We do not have faith when we worry.

I have faith but I do not rely on it as often as I should. My faith has not been tested as some have been. We are spoiled in life and faith. Our faith and constancy in life is rarely severely tested causing us to struggle with the smallest, most insignificant things (paraphrasing from today’s sermon).

My favorite verse today is Hebrews 13:5-6 (KJV);

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (emphasis mine)