Walking By Faith

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

How often do we wish we could see what lies ahead for us. With disasters multiplying around our states, from fires and droughts in various areas of Texas, tornadoes of epic proportions throughout many, flooding in others, if we did not know our Faithful Father is with us, we might want to give up. Yet our God promises to be with us always, even when we do not feel He is. Yet we must choose to walk by faith in Who He is, what He has told us in His Word, not in what we see or do not see.

During the past several years we have lost many strong leaders of our faith, and this week another went to his eternal reward. Pastor David Wilkerson of Time Square Church of New York City and Founder of Teen Challenge died this past week. He was a powerful leader and influenced countless lives for the Kingdom of God. Yet his legacy goes on in the countless lives changed by the many chapters of Teen Challenge all over. On the morning of his sudden death, he wrote what I sense was a prophetic devotional entitled "When All Means Fail". I'd like to quote below the last two paragraphs:

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word. Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights--and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, "I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of My plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let Me embrace you in your hour of pain." 

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail--His love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in His Word. There is no other hope in this world.

Often as we walk through our valley experiences, we feel completely shaken. Yet God never changes or  fails to keep His Word (though we sometimes wonder where He is--remember those clouds we shared about in a previous Blog.). Spending time in God's presence, listening for His Holy Spirit to open His Word  helps our minds become renewed (Rom. 12:2). The Greek word for "renewed" here is the same root word as "transfigured" when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John in Matthew 17. His face shone as the sun and His clothes were white as the light. This happens to our spirits when we spend time in His loving presence. In the book of Acts, though people knew Peter was an uneducated fisherman, they also realized he had been with Jesus because of the wisdom with which he spoke.

God's precious words also give us strength as we wait upon Him and spend time in His Word. Isaiah 40:31 assures us "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint."  Don't we all need new strength and ability to get above the mundane and soar as the eagle in the loving presence and grace of God? I remember a preacher asking the question, "Are you going to be a turkey picking out your grain to eat, or an eagle soaring above all the other turkeys"? I'd like to be an Eagle, how about you?

For those in this area, I look forward to your joining us at our next meeting on Thursday May 12 at 6:30 in the Prayer Room at Calvary Assembly of God.

Until we see you, I pray, "The Lord bless and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Number 6:24-26

Love in Christ,  
Dee