Not my will, but thine.
Living by faith can be a very, very scary thing. For those of us who are control freaks we find it very easy to take our problems to the Lord and cry, and pour out our hearts, doing what we were taught, in taking our burdens to the Lord. The problem comes when we are finished telling him our problems to leave them at his feet, and not pick them back up, and take them with us, thinking we can do better, or “if you want something done you best do it yourself.” So how do we break the cycle, of saying we want to live by faith, but then not having faith to turn our burdens and problems over to the Lord? There are several verses in the Bible that encourage us to live by faith, and not trusting in our own abilities or wisdom. While we find these verses compelling, still we must fight our inner demons of control, and lack of conviction, and give our lives over to the faith we say we possess.
Faith is not simply the act of positive thinking, or our feeble attempts or efforts of living that faith. Faith is a result of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. Romans 10:17 tells us, ‘for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ Our faith grows after we read stories of God working through His people, and how He never fails to keep His promises. The strongest faith is not based on our physical sense, but on our spiritual convictions. We cannot see the spiritual element of this world, but it is very real. By reading the Word of God we are, in a sense, sharpening or spiritual vision, and by doing so our faith becomes stronger. The stronger our faith becomes, the more willing we are to turn our life and trust over to God’s will.
So many of us are guilty of giving lip service to ‘living by faith’. We put on a good act, and in our hearts it is what we truly want, but seldom have the faith or courage to achieve it. What we say, do, and how we live, often times are in conflict with that reality. The best way to ‘live by faith’, is to live the way Christ lived. He encouraged, He was the example, and He taught us to love one another, not just in words, but in deeds. When was the last time we encouraged someone with our words?
“Words are powerful. They cut. They heal. They confirm. God uses his word to help us, to mold us, to make us more like Him. Our faith is built from the bricks of God’s word. Brick by brick, we erect, strengthen, and fortify that faith. But only if we truly listen and hear the word of God.” Everyday Bible Encouragement for Women.
Living by faith is difficult, especially when we don’t understand what God’s will is in our life. How can it be His will to take one of our children through death? How can we live by faith when one of our loved ones are stricken with cancer? When Jesus knelt in the garden of Gethsemane, and prayed to His Father in heaven, He knew He was facing death. Regardless of that fact He still prayed, “Not my will but thine be done”. He lived every day of His life in faith, knowing God was directing his path.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. Psalms 143:10-11
There’s a quote you often hear people say: if God brings you to it, he will see you through it. Here is the Scripture verse that gives you this promise that you can carry with you through your whole life.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13
Knowing this is a promise directly from the Bible, it should make us more confident in living by faith. If we put our trust in him, we have His promise that He will bring us through to the other side. It does not promise that we will not be tested and tried, but we will come through it, when we live in His will.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
For we walk by faith, not by sight:
II Corinthians 5:7
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11: 1&6
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:17
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2: 8-9