(Hebrews 11:1-3) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
(Hebrews 10:38) "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
We live in an age which some people make reference to as an "age of uncertainty." We are beset by troubles on a daily basis. Anytime you watch the news on television, pick up a newspaper, or read the news online you read about wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, riotings, and the list continues. Consider the events that have taken place since January 1, 2011. The Arizona shooting rampage took place on January 8, we've had earthquakes in New Zealand and Chile, there were protests in Egypt which forced Hosni Mubarak out as president of Egypt, etc. As of now there are protests taking place in Libya where the opposition is calling for Moammar al-Gadhfi to step down. There are presently protests from the teachers' unions in Wisconsin, etc. because the governor is asking the teachers to contribute more to their pensions and healthcare benefits. Gasoline, gold, and cotton prices are spiraling. There's all kinds of strife and tension in this world. It's easy to allow ourselves to focus on those things and not see the whole picture. I want to declare that God isn't taken by surprise by all the tumultuous events taking place in our world. Matthew 24:6-7 states these things are to come to pass.
Many people who claim to be Christian or claim to know God have been presented with a false view by the Charismatics on television such as TBN, for example on what faith is all about. I recall watching television evangelists such as Oral Roberts as a young boy preach on faith healing and seed faith when it comes to material wealth. When I was young, I used to think of faith many times as relating to divine healing. Make no mistake about it. God is a God of healing. I'm not diminishing that point. However, God's not a Santa Claus you can manipulate to give you what you want whenever you want it. There's no magic formula when it comes to faith. God didn't say just believe and you'll be blessed with prosperity and divine health. There have been those in the Charismatic movement that have preached that. However, faith goes much deeper than just believing God for divine healing or meeting one's financial needs. Faith is a way of life. Our lifestyle should bear witness that we trust in God. The way we live, our outlook on life and eternity should be a witness to the world that we trust the Lord.
James 2:20 states that faith without works is dead. There are many who claim to trust the Lord but there are no works to show that they believe in God. What is the point in saying that you are saved and trust in Jesus if your faith won't take you to church on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening, etc. What is your faith worth if it won't cause us to read our Bible, pray, and participate in Godly things? Faith will produce some things in our lives. Faith will give us a desire to want to attend church, read God's word, pray, and serve the Lord. Some people label preachers as legalist if they preach holiness standards to their flock in the pews. James 2:20 doesn't state that works save a man. It says that if a man claims to have faith but there's no outward evidence of an inward working of the Holy Spirit, then that person's faith is dead. It's not genuine. Scriptural faith will be manifested in a Christian's life in some fashion.
In saying all this, I'm not insinuating that God's children don't struggle when it comes to trust God at times. There are times when God's children will endure hardship, valleys, trials, etc. There will be times when you as a child of God won't understand the circumstances surrounding you. That's why God says that the just shall live by faith. God's people can't live by knowing and understanding everything that takes place in our lives. There will be days when you won't understand and be able to figure God out. There will be days when there will be situations that won't make sense to you. However, God knows the situation and what's taking place. Nothing takes God by surprise.
Those that are saved by God's grace and have read his word knows that Jesus will return to this earth one day. Prior to Jesus' second coming, God's people will be raptured out of this earth and for seven years there will be a period called "The Great Tribulation" where God will unleash His wrath upon this sinful world. Those that are saved know that this life will one day pass away. Philippians 3:20 states that our conversation is in Heaven. We're not to allow our lives to be wrapped around this life or on this earth. We're very guilty many times in allowing our lives to be wrapped up in this present world. Our bodies and our minds are still mortal. We must remember that we're to look for the Lord's appearing. If we will do so, the things of this world won't bother us the way that they do if we recognize that life is just a vapor. The past few weeks gasoline prices have skyrocketed and it's very easy to dwell on that subject. Those that are on a tight budget can allow themselves to worry about the future and how they will make it if gas prices keep escalating. I'll admit it can be depressing if you dwell on it. We must remember God knew that gas prices would rise $3.50 a gallon long before anyone in this world did. Nothing surprises God.
If we're going to live victorious lives, we must live by faith. We must trust God and remember that life isn't wrapped up in this present world's system. I know what I said sounds easy, and I'm guilty myself of allowing myself to be influenced by this present world. However, if we will remember life is about eternity, it will change our mindset about the troubles of this present world. We can live victorious in spite of what the Devil throws our way. However, we won't do so unless we learn to trust in Him. I'm saying this to myself as well. I fail numerous times to trust in God. If we're going to move forward in times like these, we must trust God.
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