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Glory Seed Devotionals, 2016: Year of the Blessing
Waiting in faith…
In today’s Creighton University’s Daily Lent Prayer Steve Scholer writes, “Living our faith is so much more difficult than simply professing it; but, the personal rewards are so much greater for us; and, the positive impact it has on those we interact with speaks volumes about the importance of our faith and our relationship with God.” When I first read living our faith is difficult (something I’ve already had some experience with) I said to myself, “Boy! Ain’t that the truth?” However, the more I thought about it I discovered waiting in faith is another story.
While the difference between living our faith and waiting in faith may be ever so slight nevertheless it is worth pointing out. Living our faith means moving through life based on our belief in our relationship with God and His relationship with us. Waiting in faith means allowing the “storms” that rage around us to bolster our faith. Waiting in faith is how our faith is strengthen and deepened. Perhaps the following story will shed some light on what I am trying to say. “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”” (Mark 4:39–41, NLT)
The bible does not say how long the disciples struggled against the storm however there were seasoned fishermen accustomed to rough seas so they probably did not awake Jesus at first, but when their efforts proved futile they didn’t hesitate to call on Jesus. Jesus’ question, “Do you still have no faith?” seems to indicate the disciples had no faith, nevertheless they must have had some faith because they turned to Jesus when their efforts failed. However, what do you supposed happened to their faith level when suddenly the storm subsided at Jesus’ command?
14 men living out their faith set sail on calm waters later 13 of them found themselves waiting in faith as the danger of sinking intensified then calling on the 14th man they discovered faith at a deeper level then otherwise would not have been possible. You’ll notice I added one more person to the story, there were 12 disciples, 1 Savior, and YOU! On a personal note, out of this story the Holy Spirit has also taught me not to panic when storms do arise because even if Jesus is silent I still all under his protection.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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“Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.”
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