How do we live and make decisions that please God? How can we be sure we don’t miss His plan for our lives?
Hebrews says, “My righteous ones shall live by faith” (Heb. 10:38 NLT).
Faith pleases God and directs the steps of those who honor Him. Since faith puts us in the center of God’s will and garners His smile, let’s examine how faith looks.
To live by faith is to live with assurance.
Faith believes:
- God is who He says He is.
- God keeps His promises.
- God hears our requests and answers according to what’s best.
- God is involved in our everyday lives.
Read through the Gospels, and you’ll notice how Jesus valued faith. Every time He saw it He’d stop the crowds to make sure they recognized it.
Biblical faith is not superstitious mumbo jumbo. It’s taking God at His Word. Hebrews eleven provides many examples of people commended for their faith.
These people show us that biblical faith is not limited to a particular background, ethnicity, amount of Bible knowledge, or personality type. Kings, shepherds, generals, outcasts, and prostitutes all found favor through faith. But biblical faith shares two defining traits.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Heb. 11:6 NLT).
- Faith believes God exists.
- Faith believes God rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
We walk by faith when we sincerely ask God for wisdom and believe He’ll supply it because that’s what He’s promised (James 1:5-7). Trusting God to give us wisdom is different from feeling confident in our ability to recognize the right choice. Our confidence rests in knowing God is greater than our shortcomings. He is able to break through our insecurities and convoluted emotions to supply what we need when we need it. (For more on this read “Just Ask.”)
I experienced this one birthday when Larry told me I could get a piece of art I’d been eying. I brought it home. I liked it. Larry was happy for me to have it, but a feeling of hesitancy surprised me.
I asked God what to do. As I asked, I wondered if I would hear Him since my feelings were pretty set on having the print. I chose to override my doubt with faith. I told the Lord, “I know You are bigger than my desires. I will trust You to direct me.”
The next morning, my first thoughts were to return the print. I hopped out of bed and wrapped it up. When I handed it to Larry to return, he said, “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” I smiled.
I never regretted my decision.
When we place our faith in God’s ability to answer instead of in our ability to hear, we have peace and receive His wisdom. God puts His name on the line when He promises to guide us on the right path. “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake (Ps. 23:3 NIV, emphasis added).
If you’ve prayed for wisdom and don’t sense an answer, ask God to search your heart. Make sure you aren’t overlooking His revealed will in another area. If we aren’t doing what we know, why should He provide further guidance?
Sometimes, the answer is “Wait.” He’s heard us, but it’s not time to move. Keep trusting (Prov. 3:5-6). Keep exercising the two aspects of faith in Hebrews 11:6.
Faith pleases God and gives us hope while we wait. Focus your faith on Christ instead of your timetable. Then stay attentive as you read His Word and live life. “For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed’” (Rom. 10:11 NASB).
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Blessings,
Photo by: Ryan Winterbotham
Sometimes I link up with these great sites:
#Moments of Hope, #w2wwordfilledwednesday, #Wedded Wednesday, #Writer’s Wednesday #HeartEncouragement, #LivefreeThursday, #Grace and Truth, #Dance with Jesus, #Fresh Market Friday,
This is so good. My whole ministry has been about making choices that align with God’s Word, will and ways, and you highlighted a super-important aspect of that. My Daddy wrote Proverbs 3:5-6 in the front of my Bible when I went off to college. Trust in God’s wisdom has always been my desire since as I face not just the tough decisions in life, but also daily choices. Thanks for making the importance of faith clear, Debbie.
Thank you, Dawn. How sweet to have a daddy to direct you that way! I agree. You are so right. Our daily choices set the direction of our lives.
Thanks for this devotion. Know all of those verses and how to apply, but sometimes God needs to remind me and I need to listen!
That’s true for all of us, Teresa!
“When we place our faith in God’s ability to answer instead of in our ability to hear, we have peace and receive His wisdom.” I think that’s an amazingly insightful observation Debbie! The distinction is subtle but very clear and powerful. Wonderful words of wisdom.
Thanks, Ann. It’s easy to slip into trusting the wrong side of that. When we do we lose our peace.
Wow, Debbie! What I see here is not only incredible faith in God on your part, but sensitivity to your husband as well. Not many women would pay attention to those subtle cues. And your heart is soft enough to see and feel them. But what I also love about this post is how you explain “faith” for us. Faith isn’t simply that first step toward Jesus, but an ongoing walk with Him each moment of every day. Thanks for the biblical insight you faithfully share here, my friend! And thank you also for your vulnerability. That’s a treasure I find in this place every time I visit!
Beth, you are a wonderful encourager. Thanks so much!
Hi Debbie, I’m your neighbor at #livefreethursday this morning. This is my favorite quote from your post today: When we place our faith in God’s ability to answer instead of in our ability to hear, we have peace and receive His wisdom. I’m trusting in God to answer my prayers now, using what you’ve pointed out. Blessings to you!
Wonderful, Sarah. What a difference it makes to keep our faith focused on Him instead of in ourselves.
So good and so true, Debbie. Grateful to be your neighbor today over at #HeartEncouragement. Blessings to you!
And to you, Stacey!
I’m so thankful that we can trust God to give us wisdom, even as we doubt ourselves. Making some decisions are harder than others, but it’s such a blessing knowing that God can clean up our mistakes too when we make those. Thanks for sharing this, Debbie!
Amen, Lisa. He is the street cleaner that comes behind us (Ps. 139) when we need it!
That’s the best decision-making advice ever.
Stopping by from the #DancingwithJesus #Linkup
Praying you have a Blessed & Refreshed Day,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Thank you, Sherry. And may you too!
“Biblical faith is not superstitious mumbo jumbo. It’s taking God at His Word.” AMEN!
God is always faithful and when our faith is weak, we can ask him to strengthen it as we read his word and pray.
Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #MomentsofHope.
Thank you, Gayl! Have a great week.
Trusting God is what it is all about Debbie isn’t that true? I love what you share here. You include some of my favorite scriptures in James and Hebrews. He will direct us when we seek Him wholeheartedly. Thank you for the wise words of truth you share here. (My favorite: God is greater than our shortcomings.) It was so nice to have you visit my site today. Thank you for the words of encouragement Have a fantastic week and may God continue to bless you and yours in all your endeavors
Yes, it is, Horace! It is always a joy to hear from you!
Hi Debbie! Very encouraging and hope-filled post! Thanks so much for sharing with us. Stopping by from # moments of hope linkup#.
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Debbie I love your strong testimony of faith here!
Thank you, Crystal. Blessings to you.