Most of us go through times when our faith is challenged. Times, when we feel like it is too late for God to come through in our situation. It is never too late.
Today I am reminded of a faith we see woven throughout the pages of the word of God. It is a faith that never quits. A faith that believes regardless of what is seen with their eyes. A faith that refuses to move off what God has said.
It is an even so…and nevertheless faith. We see it in the life of Peter.
Peter had toiled all night trying to catch fish, he was exhausted. All he wanted to do was to go home and go to sleep. He had resigned himself to the fact that there would be no fish today. He was pulling in his nets and getting ready to head for home…but Jesus stopped him.
Jesus yelled, “Peter, cast your nets on the other side…”
Luke 5:5 tells his response when Jesus suggested he cast his nets one more time.
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.”
Nevertheless…at Your word. That’s the key.
I am also reminded of Lazarus.
Jesus was told he was sick even before he died. However, Jesus was waiting on word from God. He would not move without it. Lazarus died. They laid him to rest. THEN…Jesus showed up. Martha was not happy with His timing.
Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” John 11:21-22
Her first response was a complaint. If you had only been here. However, she was wise enough to know…but…even now, if You will only ask God, He will raise Lazarus up.
Jesus called Lazarus forth and he lived again. Her, even now, faith was right on target.
Yet the one that amazes me the most is Abraham. He had been told, by God, to sacrifice his son, his promised son, on an altar. He dares not disobey God. He and Isaac headed to the place of sacrifice. When they arrived, Abraham told his servants to wait for them there. He said… “I am going to worship, and WE will be back.”
And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Genesis 22:5
He had faith that he and his promise would return. He didn’t know how; he couldn’t imagine how. He simply trusted God. God had said he would have a son and through him nations would come to be. He knew it couldn’t happen without his son. Therefore, his faith was evident in his words. “We will be back.”
This is a faith that pleases God. We see that in the life of Abraham. Just as he was about to sacrifice his son – God stopped him. God said, “I see your faith in Me…I see you will obey me no matter what.”
This is even so faith. This is nevertheless faith. This is the faith God is looking for in all of us. A faith that is immovable. Unshakable. That refuses to look at what it sees. That looks only to what GOD has said.
May God grant each of us this faith today.
God, we ask You to empower us, to work within us, even so faith. Nevertheless faith. Unshakable, immoveable faith. Grant it, Lord! This we ask in Jesus name.
Meditate on this:
All things are possible to him who believes! Mark 9:23
