|
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE
|
Introduction
“For we walk by faith, not by sight”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (New King James Version)
From the above verse, it is clear that, as Christians, we are to walk by faith and not be moved by what we see. Our human nature makes it more probable for us to live our lives or make decisions in life based on whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. As believers, we cannot allow the circumstances of our lives to take control of us. The way we live our lives must not depend on our circumstances. Instead, we must live our lives based on our faith in God.
This is why Paul said, “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” 12 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV. Therefore, our only hope in this life is to have faith in God. This means that our faith in God gives us the opportunity to make decisions that put our lives on the right course.
What it means to walk by faith
To walk by faith means to live our lives from the perspective of God and not from ours or our environment. Living our lives from the perspective of God will propel us to make decisions that are in His interest which may not make sense to us, but it will eventually work in our favor. On the other hand, if we take decisions in life without considering God’s perspective, our failures will be inevitable. Which is why Solomon declared, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” 2Proverbs 14:12, NKJV. Therefore, we must strive to represent His interest and not ours. We must learn to see things from where He stands. Introducing the element of faith in our endeavors would surely help us look at life from His perspective.
The story of Noah’s ark
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Hebrews 11:7 (New King James Version)
From the above verse, Noah received an instruction from God to build an ark. This was because God had intended to destroy the earth. Noah was moved to construct the ark because of his faith in God. Many of the people at that time did not have faith in God. As a matter of fact, they mocked Noah for his construction of the ark and, by extension, mocked God. But Noah stood firm in his decision to construct the ark because his faith was founded in God. Finally, God destroyed the earth as He had planned but Noah and his family were spared because of his faith in God. The rest of the people were destroyed because of their disobedience that was deeply rooted in their lack of faith in God.
Abraham’s legendary faith
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:8-10 (New King James Version)
God instructed Abraham (née Abram) to leave his father’s house. God didn’t tell him where he was leading him to. He also didn’t bother to ask God where he was going. He didn’t think about what would happen to him. Abraham took the decision to leave his father’s house to an unknown location based on his faith in God. His entire journey was predicated on his faith in God.
So Abram said to Lot, Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Please separate from me. if you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you go toward unto Zoar.”
Genesis 13:8-10 (New King James Version)
When you walk by sight and not faith
When Abraham realized that there was tension between his herdsmen and that of Lot, he opted for peace to prevail among them. He then allowed Lot to choose which way he would go. The choice of Lot would inform his choice of direction as well. Abraham didn’t contend with Lot as to who should choose first. As a matter of fact, Abraham could have even sent Lot away because he is the one who allowed Lot to travel with him. But, in order for peace to exist, he gave Lot the opportunity to choose first.
Without faith in God, choosing between even two options can be very tricky. It can be a matter of life or death depending on the choice you make. One would have thought that making a choice between two options should have been very simple. But, it may not be as simple as it may seem to be. In fact, Lot missed it.
Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated themselves from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.
Genesis 13:11-13 (New King James Version)
When the time came for Lot to make his choice, he lifted up his eyes and saw the plain of Jordan. He was attracted to the plain of Jordan because it was well watered, and he chose it. Lot was very interested in solving his immediate problems. He was controlled by his situation. Lot’s decision to choose the plain of Jordan was because it was a good place to live. Lot didn’t make his choice because of his faith in God. In the end, the place he chose was destroyed by God because of sin. The story of Lot is to make us understand the essence of our faith in God and to see the danger of being led by circumstances.
Planting in a time of famine
There was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the LORD appeared to him, and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year an hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.”
Genesis 26:1-3, 12 (New King James Version)
The land of Gerar experienced famine during the days of Isaac. Famines are usually characterized by harsh and unfavorable farming conditions that make it difficult for people to survive. I suspect that Isaac contemplated relocating to Egypt because of the situation. The normal reaction of people in times of famine is relocation. However, God appeared to him and asked him not to relocate to Egypt. By faith, Isaac obeyed God’s instruction and stayed in Gerar. He didn’t allow the famine in Gerar to influence his decision to make him leave. Instead, he followed his faith in God by being obedient to Him.
Isaac’s obedience to God through faith made him go to the extent of sowing during the famine. The harvest that followed in that same year was a hundredfold, which was amazing! Indeed, God honored His word. This is why the Scriptures states, “Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” 3Jeremiah 1:12, NKJV. This is to remind us that when we exercise faith in God, our victories in life will be assured. But, when we don’t walk by faith in God and allow situations to determine our life’s decisions then we will be in jeopardy of failing in life.
The Prince of Egypt who never was
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
Hebrews 11:24-29 (New King James Version)
The verses above reveal that Moses’ entire life was predicated on his faith in God. Most of the critical decisions of his life were taken based on his faith in God. His faith in God made him renounce his sonship to the daughter of Pharaoh. The consequence of this decision was that he lost the opportunity to become prince in Egypt; but he didn’t mind at all. Most people would have retained their sonship because of the privileges that accompany it. Moses couldn’t have been wrong with his decision. This was because his decision was based on his faith in God.
Again, his faith caused him to choose to suffer with God’s people. Scarcely will one choose suffering in place of pleasure. But when faith is at work in our life, such selfless decisions will be inspired by your faith in God. Also, his rejection of Egypt didn’t create any fear within him for Pharaoh. Surely, when God is leading, you cannot entertain any kind of fear for man regardless of their status in society.
Conclusion
As believers, we must learn to walk by faith. As we walk by faith, we will not understand many of the things we may go through in life. But we can be rest assured that we will make sense of many of the things that we go through later on in life. We must not allow the decisions of our lives to be determined by the things that surround us. This is because the things around us can only affect our faith in God if we permit them. When our faith in God is not shaken, our resolve to press on in this life becomes even greater. However, when our faith fails, our determination in life will be undermined. When this happens, the enemy becomes the victor instead of being the victim.
Let’s keep the fire burning until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
References
- 12 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV
- 2Proverbs 14:12, NKJV
- 3Jeremiah 1:12, NKJV