Isaiah 26:4 (CSB)
Trust in the Lord forever, because in the Lord, the Lord himself, is an everlasting rock.
Consider this: faith is not a passive, meek acceptance of a distant fairy tale but rather an active war against the skepticism of our age. It is a choice to stand firm on the rock of Jesus Christ when the world around us is full of shifting sands. Make no mistake, you are in a battle, not against flesh and blood but against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places, and our weapon is faith. In Kingdom living faith is what gives you peace in the midst of chaos, joy in the midst of sorrow, and assurance in the midst of doubt.
The Foundation of Our Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 (CSB) - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
God’s providence is not a mere backdrop to our existence; it is the very ground on which we walk. When we cannot see the path ahead, when the circumstances of this life cloud our vision, we must keep in mind that our sight is not what guides us, it is faith. It is essential that we know and have a deep and rich understanding of God's sovereignty because, when the going gets tough, we're going to have to trust God's promises. Sometimes in life, circumstances can get chaotic and drown out the voice of God. It's in these times that we're going to have to have a firm grip on the goodness of God and a deep faith in His Word.
Faith Is Not Blind
Romans 10:17 (CSB) - "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ."
We often hear the world speak of blind faith, but that's not the biblical picture. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ. In Kingdom living, our faith is an informed faith grounded in the nature and promises of God revealed in Scripture. Our faith is not blind; it's based on the historical reality of the resurrection, the prophetic accuracy of Scripture, and the divine consistency of God's nature.
We must wake up to the reality that faith is having our eyes wide open to something bigger than our biggest dreams. It's seeing the supernatural power of God in the midst of the mundane. Faith isn't about closing our eyes and leaping; it's about jumping with our eyes fixed on the truth of our heavenly Father, who has promised to catch us.
Defiant Joy in the Face of Trials
James 1:2-3 (CSB) - "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of various kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
Listen—nobody is saying this is easy. But there's something strangely, defiantly beautiful about a joy that cannot be shaken by the circumstances of this life. Having a faith that can stare down life’s storms and say, “Bring it on,” is what we strive for. That is authentic, biblical, Kingdom-living faith. God doesn't just want you to survive the ordeals of life; He wants you to thrive in them. We must keep in mind that every challenge we face is another brushstroke on the canvas of our character, painted by the hand of God Himself.
In every situation, God is supreme. When trials come, they do not come as a surprise to Him; they come as sovereignly ordained instruments designed to shape us more into the image of Christ. We cannot allow the storms of life to cause us to fall into panic, but rather a profound trust in the One who orchestrates not only the storm but also the growth that comes from it.
Let us not sugarcoat words here; this Kingdom life is not a leisurely stroll but rather an upstream swim. But take heart! We do not swim alone. The same God who brought the Israelites through the Red Sea, who brought Daniel out of the lion’s den, and who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who walks with us today. Trusting in God's providence and sovereignty is not for the faint of heart; it requires a supernatural kind of faith that comes from God and is cultivated through disciplines of devotion. So let us stand firm on the Rock, the Unyielding Rock, and trust the Invisible Hand that holds the universe together. This is our charge; this is our victory.