Faith - Daily Devotional December 4th, 2009

Daily Bible Reading - Job 5, Micah 1, Hebrews 11

Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible - Hebrews 11:1-3.

Since we planted a church it is as though I am learning what it means to have faith all over again. I thought I knew but I guess I am learning first hand what it means to grow in faith. God seems to give us those opportunities to grow our faith because the more faith we have the better we walk. 2 Corinthians 5:7, "for we walk by faith, not by sight". Half of walking right is understand what faith is and in Hebrews 11 it tells us that faith is having assurance that we already possess the thing we are hoping for or being convicted that what we need has already come to pass. This is what pleases God according to Hebrews 11:6.

Recently I had to start therapy for my back as I have been battling back pain for nearly 10 years. Before I could undergo the treatments necessary I had to have an MRI which was not covered by insurance. The cost of the MRI was not cheap and we did not have the money to pay for it. At that moment I had two options, walk away and live in pain or have assurance that we already had the money even though we did not and get on the road to recovery. It was not an easy decision for me because it was a lot of money to commit to but I chose option 2 and I am on the road to recovery. I put my trust in God and began to walk with the assurance that we already had the money (faith). One day after committing to the therapy and getting the MRI two people independent of each other not knowing about the MRI gave me the exact amount I needed to cover the cost of the MRI, PRAISE GOD!

Today not only am I walking a bit straighter because of the therapy but I am walking a lot bolder because my faith has increased. I look back and I often wonder how much pain I would be in today physically had I not had assurance that I already possessed the money. I also wonder how I would be paying for the MRI if I had fear instead of faith. I am not sure what you need today or where you are at with your faith but I know that if you put it in God's hands and walk with the assurance that you already possess what you need, He will come through for you.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Job 6-7, Micah 2, Hebrews 12

Dream Big
Ben