Hebrews 11:1, New International Version

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Our foundation, the foundation of our faith, is built upon Jesus Christ. It is, according to Hebrews 11:1 (NIV), “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Though He walked the earth thousands of years ago, and we have not seen Him with our physical eye, we believe. What makes us believe? The Father’s job is to draw us to Christ. We are drawn to repentance by His kindness towards us.

I remember the church I went to in North Carolina where God brought me back to Him. Though I didn’t completely understand everything then, as I grow in my relationship with Christ, it makes more sense. He speaks to us on a personal basis.  It’s in such a way that you just know it is Him. There is no other explanation for it. He speaks to the situation we are in. When we are open to Him and see Him working in our lives, it increases our faith and we believe. It solidifies what we don’t see with our own eyes. 

As we grow in the Lord, there will be challenges we face in life. Some of them can bring potential discouragement or make one want to throw in the towel because things are getting too hard! But God!

The Lord led me to a scripture that encouraged my heart! It spoke in such a way that I wanted to dig my heels in and hold on! Why? Because the God who brought me back to Himself in North Carolina is the same God who is calling me now! He was faithful then and He is faithful now! I have confidence that His will will be done in my life. And I hope that you do too! The scripture He led me to was this: “…If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (Isaiah 7:9) This scripture took me back to the foundation—Jesus Christ. Who is He? What has He done in my life? If He was faithful then, won’t He be faithful now? I have experienced way too much in my life for me not to believe in Him and what He will do!

We do have an enemy that likes to steal, kill, and destroy. I know we have all heard that numerous times! But it’s the truth. He wants you to not believe. He wants you to not have faith. He wants you to stand on shifting sand. He wants to take us down with him. But we must stand firm in our faith! Ephesians 6:13-18 (NIV) says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always pray for all the Lord’s people.”

To stand and to stand firm, we must have on the full armor of God. We must not be caught unawares! We are reminded in Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV), “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

As difficult as life may get, and as hopeless as things may seem, we must stand firm in our faith! Keep looking up and don’t give up! Jesus is always faithful to complete the work He started!