A Key To Faith!

When we marvel at the faith of Abraham, David, Daniel, and others who were committed to following God -- even when the odds seemed against them -- we need to come to grips with the thing that really made the difference for them. It was not what they didn't know that was allowed to consume their focus, nor was it so much what they did know, though such knowledge is significant. Rather it was more WHOM THEY HAD COME TO KNOW! They KNEW GOD, and for us to develop the same caliber of faith, we too need to seek to KNOW GOD more! The more we KNOW GOD the easier it will become for us to let go of ourselves and our own perspectives and own desires and let Him do the work He wants to do in and through us!

Through the prophet Jeremiah God noted where the center of our focus needs to rest.
"(23) Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, (24) but let him who boasts BOAST IN THIS, that he UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, THAT I AM THE LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.'" ( Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

Our focus must move from self to Him. Doing so will have a dynamic impact on our faith and how that faith is made evident in daily living. Even when our perspective of things in this world makes it seem that victory will not happen, God can bring it about! To KNOW GOD is to accept His Will and His Way because it is so much higher and more righteous than our own. (i.e. Jeremiah 55:8-9) God has a much broader perspective on life than we do. It is therefore reasonable to trust Him.

The great men and women of faith the Hebrew writer noted ( Hebrews 11) were looking beyond the things of this realm to greater glory to come. They were willing to follow in faith during their earthly pilgrimage because they knew the ultimate destiny to which God was leading. And it is to be the same for us as noted in Jesus' prayer the night He was to be arrested.

We read. . .
"And THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE, THAT THEY KNOW YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." ( John 17:3 ESV)

KNOWING GOD relates to much more than the things of this life. God's Works have our ultimate and eternal good in mind. That is made evident in the story of Creation from day one in preparing His Creation in which He placed man (the crowing point of His Creation, having been created in His image) to the sending of His Son for the cleansing of our sins to His going to prepare a place for us where He is in Heaven.

Paul encouraged. . .
"(31) What then shall we say to these things? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? (32) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" ( Romans 8:31-32 ESV)

Yes, His Works reveal how much He is for us! God is faithful and true to His promises. He is completely worthy of our trust! May we continually come to KNOW HIM more and more with each day we walk on with Him.

Have a great day MARKED BY FAITH TO FOLLOW!
Carl

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