I have always admired the person who is willing to be the first! Whatever the challenge maybe, even when all the data is not gathered and the outcome is not guaranteed…there is usually someone in the crowd who is willing to take the first plunge.
The most interesting thing about this type of person is that once they have taken the plunge, they will turn and encourage others to join them in the adventure. Faith is willing to be the first to take the plunge. People of faith are always early adopters of God's plan.
Genesis 6 tells the story of Noah, who is one of the great examples of this kind of faith. Noah was willing to build a boat when there was not one drop of water in sight. His encounter with God is a story that provides a lesson in faith for every believer.
1. Faith Believes Without Proof
Noah built the ark without ever seeing rain. Think about it, it had never rained on the earth…but God said to Noah, “Build an ark, because I am going to make it rain.” When we live by faith we must learn that most of our faith-facts are not within our line of sight. That begins with our belief in God. We don't need to see Him to know that He is real. Peter reminds us that “though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” (1 Pet. 1:8).
Faith is, believing without proof, whether it is faith in God's promises to us; faith in His eternal plan for the world, or faith in His specific plan for our lives. We trust God, even though we cannot see all the details.
2. Faith Stands Alone
Noah and his family were the only people in their community (in the world at that time) who feared God. Yet we notice that Noah would not be intimidated. Noah stuck with God’s plan even when he had to do it all alone.
People of faith don't need to be members of an elite club; they are willing to hold fast to the promises of God even when that means being different from others. To stand against the crowd and for Jesus requires a firm conviction of the truth of God's Word. Noah's experiences drives home another point worth pondering: the crowd is often wrong.
3. Faith Takes Action
James wrote, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead,” (James 2:17). Noah not only believed God and the promise of God that, it would rain but also did something about it…he built a boat.
What is the action to which God is calling you? Will you step out in faith and just do it? Will you take the plunge and dive into your destiny by faith?
4. Faith Sees Results
Being a person of faith means being willing to trust God regardless of the outcome. Noah was a man of faith.
The promises of God are true, and those who trust in them; rely on them and take the plunge of faith - are never disappointed. God promised Noah that it would rain, and did it ever! Having acted in faith, Noah and his family were saved from the flood. They believed that it would happen, and they saw it come to pass.
When you step out and take the plunge of faith and follow God, you will see results in your life also! Now while it will not be as dramatic as Noah's flood (God has promised that there will be no repeat performance of that event), but when you take the plunge of faith and trust in the promises of God and act according to His plan and His Word, the results will be no less meaningful in your life!
So when you pray for rain, you better be wearing a raincoat or go get an umbrella; because all of God's promises are true. Take the plunge and walk by faith, not by sight.
PMD
No comments:
Post a Comment