CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 928

“Walk by Faith”

So we are always of good courage… for we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)

One of my favorite lines from the Star Wars movies is ‘Go with the force, Luke’. This was an exhortation to Luke to not rely solely on his physical senses.

Isn’t that the way it is for us also when it comes to our life choices? We tend to rely upon our experiences and our physical senses oftentimes before relying on the authority of God’s Word.

Our senses can deceive us. Have you ever noticed how the same group of people can see and hear the same thing, yet interpret it differently? Ask any police officer who interviews eye witnesses when investigating a crime scene. When God’s voice spoke glorifying Jesus, the crowd that was there differed in their understanding of what had happened. Some thought it had thundered. Others said an angel spoke. (John 12:28-30) In the last days, Satan will use signs and wonders to deceive people. Those who rely on the authority of what they see, hear and feel will be more easily deceived than those who rely on the authority of God’s Word by faith. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception… (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Peter had his share of sensory experiences as he walked with Jesus. Yet he writes concerning faith that the authority of the Scriptures superseded all that he experienced firsthand. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21)

Paul writes in our reference Scripture that he is always of good courage because of his walk by faith and not by sight. Now being courageous does not mean being without fear. The courageous overcome paralyzing fear by their faith. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) When our senses rule, we become more anxious and stressed out about life issues and fear paralyzes and hinders us in working through difficult circumstances.

Paul suffered much in his lifetime yet he writes about contentment, hope and courage. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10) This is walking by faith, not by sight.

We will suffer hardships in our life also. How well we deal with them and overcome them depends upon our walk of faith. Faith steps do not come naturally to our human nature but with practice our faith grows. Growing in faith comes by remaining in the Word of God – reading, study, committing it to memory.

May you be of good courage as you face each day in the presence, power and strength of the Lord, walking by faith and not by sight.