Living By Faith

The Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus (second edition) defines faith in four different ways. First, faith is unquestioning belief, specifically in God, a religion, etc. Second, a particular religion. Third, complete trust or confidence. Fourth, loyalty.Personally, I like the first definition when we discuss issues concerning our Christian living. I wonder how many people on this earth today live in an unquestioning belief in God?

Majority of us today live in different forms of hardships and trials in life. A lot of people are starving due to famine, some are dying because of illness, many are facing broken homes, economic depression are a threat to many, many home owners are facing foreclosures, and the list can go on and on. Times are just becoming hard. But can you live by faith today?

We have just mentioned about foreclosures. Do you value God more than your home? Or is it the reverse - you value your home more than God? If you are facing a problem on loosing your home, do you think that is going to be a great problem more than loosing trust in God?

I remember a Bible story that deals about a family who would be loosing their home. In Genesis chapter 19, you will find a story about a person named Lot who lived in an ancient city called Sodom. Because of the wickedness of the city, God was about to destroy the city.

In this particular story, God sent two of his angels in the form of men to take Lot and his family away from the city. The angels clearly instructed Lot and his family that, whatever happens while they were trying to escape away from the city, they should not look back towards the city.

A house is usually the biggest investment that most families make. The same thing probably holds true with Lot and his family. But probably Lot's wife could not afford to live her house behind, she either forgot about the angels' instructions or she simply disregarded the instructions that was given by the angels. She looked back. In an instant, Lot's wife became a pillar of salt.

Why worry about loosing your home when you have God who is the provider of all our needs. I was very fascinated and thrilled to know of a special promise by God for his faithful children. This promise can be found in Jeremiah 29:11 which says:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Isn't that promise so wonderful? Are you a faithful believer of God? Are you scared to loose your home (perhaps from foreclosure)? For me, I used to be scared. I have invested so much in my house. But looking back at this promise, it says God has a plan for me. Perhaps God has better plans which are far better than what I can perceive.

As long as we serve God faithfully, He will bless us. Look at His faithful followers like David, Abraham, Job, and many more of His people. They have been richly blessed by God - not just with material wealth, but even with the blessed hope of eternity. You don't hear these things as children's Bible stories or during a vacation Bible school, these are true to life stories that have been recorded in the Holy Bible.

According to Jesus, "All things work together for good to them that love God and keep his commandments." So, whatever bothers you, live by faith and entrust every thing to God through prayer. So pray to God about your situation. Remember, God has a better plan for you.