But the just shall live by faith [My righteous servant shall live by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it]; and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 AMP
Living by faith - sounds like such a wonderfully exciting way to live. Living completely trusting God without a hint of resentment, disappointment, anger - just free floating trusting without any unbelief. Every moment of the day characterised by this scripture ...
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. Hebrews 11:1 The Message
For me, the reality of living by faith is a continual struggle to push back the fears that constantly want to take hold of my mind. It is always a choice to take hold of faith and fight the fear. It is a decision to respond in faith.
I was reminded of this response as I read through Hebrews 11 this morning in the Amplified Bible, and noticed (thank you Holy Spirit) the amplification of the 'by faith' statements regarding the 'men of old'.
[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel .....
Because of faith Enoch .....
[Prompted] by faith Noah, ....
[Urged on] by faith Abraham ....
[Prompted] by faith he ....
Because of faith also Sarah ....
By faith Abraham .....
[Prompted] by faith Jacob ....
[Actuated] by faith Joseph ....
[Prompted] by faith Moses ....
[Aroused] by faith Moses ....
[Motivated] by faith he ...
By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) ...
[Urged on] by faith the people ....
[Prompted] by faith Rahab ...
Faith - simple trust and confidence in God.
Faith. I know I need it every day, to get up and keep going. Not faith in me and my abilities. Not faith not in my husband and his abilities. Not faith in other people. No, only faith in God is required. A confidence that He is, who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do.
But God - so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life which which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ's salvation).
And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favour) to [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 AMP
AMEN!
I don't know what happens to you when you read those scriptures, but for me, faith rises and I want to shout out an Amen - so be it! They so clearly remind me that God is on my side. He is in the midst. His grace is sufficient.
In Romans 10:17 it says,
So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). Romans 10:17 AMP
Today let's choose to keep God's truth first and foremost in our minds and on our lips, so we can be prompted, motivated, urge on and actuated by faith, faith in God.
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work in us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [indefinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams] - to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP
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