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“FAITH IS believing what God says simply because it is God who says it.” unknown
I was given a book this year, “Praying God’s Word” by Beth Moore. The Lord touched me with the second chapter “Overcoming Unbelief.” Beth writes:
“God seems to work in themes in my life. You know what I mean. Every sermon, morning devotional, and Christian radio program all ‘coincidentally’ speak to me about the same subject for an uncomfortable length of time. I’ll even get a card in the mail from a Christian friend I haven’t seen in ten years and—you guessed it—she’ll share a good word on the exact ‘theme.’
“Soon after my fortieth birthday, everywhere I turned I heard a message on ‘belief.’ I’m humiliated to admit that I became somewhat annoyed not to be hearing more on the subjects I really needed. After all, I already was a believer, and if believers don’t believe, what on earth do they do?
“Several weeks passed, and I still didn’t get it. Finally one morning even Oswald Chambers had the audacity to bring up the subject in that day’s entry on My Utmost for His Highest. I looked up and exclaimed, ‘What is this all about?’ I sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart, ‘Beth, I want you to believe Me.’ I was appalled. ‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘Of course I believe in you. I’ve believed in You all my life.’ I felt He responded very clearly. Adamantly. ‘I didn’t ask you to believe in Me. I asked you to believe Me.’
“I sat very puzzled for several moments until I was certain that the Holy Spirit had faithfully shed light on my pitifully small faith. I sensed Him saying, “My child, you believe Me for so little. Don’t be so safe in the things you pray. Who are you trying to keep from looking foolish? Me or you?’
“I don’t mind telling you that my life changed dramatically after God interrupted my comfortable pace with the ‘theme’ of belief. Some of it has been excruciating, and some of it has been the most fun I’ve had in my entire Christian life. I have a feeling this is one theme I probably will run into again and again in the course of my journey. Why? Because without faith it is impossible to please Him. In other words, you and I will be challenged to believe Him from one season to the next, all of our days. And if we have even half a heart for God, He’s likely to shake our perimeters and stir up a little excitement.”
-Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word (B&H Publishers TN c2003) p.34-35
My birthday was January 2nd and we were at our son’s home with family to celebrate. I asked if I could read a part of this book and read the above portion. I told them how this passage had been stirring my heart to believe God more. I, too, have believed in God all my life but there is a difference somehow. It is one thing to believe ‘in’ God and a totally different thing to simply ‘believe God!” I was challenged to ‘believe’ that what God said He would do, He would do. I liked God’s statement to Beth: ‘Who are you trying to keep from looking foolish? Me or you?’
I opened up my first gift. It was a purse with great big words, ‘BELIEVE’ on the outside! Then I received a number of other inspirational & loving cards and gifts including another Beth Moore book on King David. I think God is challenging me to ‘believe’ Him more and He is challenging you also, my dear readers.
Let’s take a moment a look at a few things God asks us to believe. Put your name here.
1. He is my shield and protector (Ps 3:3; 5:12; 18:2)
2. He answers my prayers (Ps 3:4; Ps 5:3; 6:9)
3. He helps me sleep (Ps 3:5; 4:8)
4. He created me for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11)
5. God is a tower of strength in times of trouble (Psalms 9:9)
6. God gives me food (Ps. 22:26; 23:1)
7. God forgives my sins (1 John 1:9)
8. God created everything and nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17)
9. He loves me! (John 3:16)
10. He delights in me!
a. “How great is ADONAI, who delights in the peace of his servant!” (Ps 35:27)
b. “for ADONAI takes delight in his people,” (Ps 149:4; Isa 62:4)
c. “…those sincere in their ways are his delight.” (Prov. 11:20)
d. “…those who deal faithfully are his delight.” (Prov. 12:22
11. God will help us delight in Him! (Isa. 58:14)
Have you ever declared out loud, “God delights in me”? Try it for it is true! You say, “But I have done wrong!” He exclaims: “Come to Me and I will forgive you and make you clean. Then we can have delightful times together.”
God Knoweth Best
-Unknown
Precious thought, my Father knoweth,
In His love I rest;
For whate’er my Father doeth
Must be always best.
Well I know the heart that planneth,
Nought but good for me;
Joy and sorrow interwoven;
Love in all I see.
Precious thought, my Father knoweth,
Careth for His child;
Bids me nestle closer to Him
When the storm beats wild.
Tho’ my earthly hopes are shattered,
And the tear drops fall,
Yet He is Himself my solace,
Yea, my Friend, my all.
Oh, to trust Him then more fully,
Just to simply move
In the conscious, calm enjoyment
Of the Father’s love;
Knowing that life’s chequered pathway
Leadeth to His rest,
Satisfied the way He taketh
Must be always best.
-The World’s Best-loved Poems (Harper & Row 1927) p.382-383
