Strong in Faith

But Abraham was strong in faith. He did not stagger at the promise of God - Roman 4:20.

He was not moved. He was not agitated but he firmly believed the promise.

But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God - 1Sam 30:6. He did not give in under the weight of distress.

In the last few days, I felt overwhelmed with distress to the extent that I needed the truth of these words to sink deep into my spirit. I needed to learn a lesson or two from these witnesses who were "strong in faith" through their challenges.

Physically fatigued struggling to hold breath down, the muscles in my upper body cried out for relief. My mind was bombarded with suggestions which needed the truth of the word of God to prevent them from taking root.

"Be strong in faith" - my Pastor's words echoed in my spirit. I wondered if he knew how often he used that phrase whenever he spoke with me.

"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me" - I quoted and spoke this verse to myself several times in the course of a day.

"He restores and renews my strength."

These promises of God are not mere words, they are authentic, true and backed by the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping God Who exalted His Word above His name.

God is worthy of our confidence and trust—I know that to be true.

God's faithfulness is engaged to perform His promises—This I know too.

So I called my soul to order and asked, "what does it mean to you to be strong in faith?"

Abraham refused to let his far-gone circumstances discourage him. He had every human reason to be discouraged—he was impotent and his wife's womb was dead! He hoped when it didn’t make any sense to hope.  

Against the reality of his situation, he was absolutely convinced that God Who had promised is able to perform it.  I believe in my heart that against the reality of my situation God is able to fulfil His promise concerning me.

God's ability to perform what He has promised supersedes the facts presented by the challenges we face.

Our reality—challenging and difficult circumstances— are subject to change. God does not change and His Word does not change. If there is a promise in His Word upon which I can anchor my desire based on His will for me, then the truth of that Word supersedes the reality of my current circumstances.

Abraham waited for 25 years for the promise to be fulfilled. He waited in hope and in expectation. He did not waver. But he was empowered by faith as he gave glory to God.

David was greatly distressed but he strengthen himself in the Lord - he encouraged himself with his previous experience of God's faithfulness and he resolved not to give in to the despair which greatly weighed upon his soul.

What then is our fear? Is it that God will not do what He has promised to do?

That is unbelief and distrust.

"Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggering at God's promises."

Will it come to pass as He has promised?

Will He do what He says He will do?

When? How?

The questions are endless. And when we don’t refute them with the word of God, they take root and make us question God's ability and faithfulness.

"The strength of faith appears in its victory over our fears."

I love the song - He's Able by Dietrick Haddon. The French version - Il est capable, conveyed the message of the song in a profound way which latched to my spirit and gave me a much needed boost.

Dieu est capable de faire

Tout ce qu'il dit. Il l'fera

Il accomplira

Toutes ses promesses envers toi.

Garde ta foi en Dieu

Il ne t'abandonnera pas

Translated literarily:

God is able to do what He say. He's able.

He will accomplish all His promises to you.

Guard your faith in God

He will not abandon you

He's able.

What great assurance this gave me. He will not abandon or leave me alone.

Guard my faith in God? Yes I can do that.

I guard my faith by taking God's word and using it to refute every lie and suggestion of the enemy. As I do this, my faith becomes stronger. The more I meditate on the word of God, the more I was recharged with the life in the word and strength was restored to my inner mind. The word of God kept within my heart is life to me and health to my whole body - Prov. 4:22.

"Faith honors God and God honors faith."

When I stand strong in faith, I express my confidence and trust in the truth and promises of God. By faith, I lean and depend on the strength of God's hands to keep me and carry my fatigued body..

To be strong in faith is to be assured that I am not praying in vain. I have an expectation of not only the fulfillment of the promises, but also of every degree of help, light, life and comfort which God might at anytime see necessary for me. And the exercise of my faith will draw multitude to God.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed with the challenges you are faced with? How do you guard your faith and stay strong in faith? Share your story and encourage someone today.

I Share with you He's Able by Deitrick Haddon