Faith

 

Have faith! What does that really mean today? Have faith in yourself, others, or the world? The saying ‘have faith’ is a universal term everyone has encountered or will encounter in their life. Whether we have faith in other people, institutions, or the Word of God, faith exists.

Faith is what you hear has sustained people through the most tragic and painful moments or the opposite occurs; faith is lost. I think today it has become a loose term and we are forgetting the foundation of faith, that for believers is the Word of God. The reality is, we are tested, have trials and struggle with sin. This just might be what causes our faith to weaken instead of strengthen it. The trials that occur are just plain hard, exhausting and confusing. Then we begin to question ourselves if it is worth being ridiculed or put down for our faith.  Sometimes making our way through unimaginable trials and suffering can also cause us to question our faith. Where do we look for a perfect example of faith?

The ultimate example of fortitude and faith is found in Jesus.

Recently, I read through the passage when Jesus was tempted in the desert. This was a wonderful encouragement and perfect example to soak in. Forty days and forty nights Jesus was in the desert and responded perfectly to the temptations from the devil. If we remember, as Jesus says in Matthew 4:10, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only, “Our faith will be strengthened!

 

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness Matthew 4:1-11

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 

Jesus says to Satan three things for us to remember:

 

The first is found in verse 4. We need the life-giving, hope-filled, gospel-centred Word of God daily for sustenance!

Jesus answered in verse 4, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 The second is found in verse 7. To test the Lord demonstrates a lack of faith and trust in a Holy God. We must receive his mercy and grace and acknowledge he is sovereign over us.

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Lastly, found in verse 10, who we worship determines our mindset, choices, and the heartbeat of our moment-to-moment lives. With the power of a Spirit-filled life, we can take a stand against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-20- The Whole Armor of God).

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

 

We are not perfect like Jesus! Can we remember that Jesus understands our imperfections us and knows us intimately? We can lean on him, the solid rock! Even when tempted to lose faith, the alternative is to have none and walk away from the giver and sustainer of life. Faith in God is our bedrock! Without faith in God, we will dissolve into cultural waste water becoming powerless to withstand the enemy’s schemes. We stand on a sure foundation and can hold fast through the storms. Until we see his face, we can have faith in the one who knows us better than anyone.

 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Ryan Stevenson – When We Finally Get There Audio Video

This is very cool! His first appearance at the Opry!