Holy Desire

It stands to reason that our level of faith is in direct proportion to how much we truly believe in what we say we believe. In other words, the deeper we believe in the Bible and the promise of heaven, the more we realize how fruitless the pursuits of life are, and we inevitably desire God in a way that is confusing to unbelievers. We begin to realize that nothing; not our human relationships, our financial successes, or even our public achievements matter. We come to know that all life has to offer amounts to nothing in comparison to God and our relationship with him. So, inevitably, the more faith we have, the greater our desire for God. Psalm chapter 73, verses 25 through 26 states it quite well. It says:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

It is obvious that the writer of this psalm has high faith. They believe, I mean truly believe, in what they say they believe. As a result, they desire nothing on earth besides God. Many of us say we believe in God. But how often does our life reflect radical belief; a belief that is so strong that we can truly say “earth has nothing I desire besides you?” I don’t know about you but I want that kind of faith. I want radical faith; a faith that understands, as this psalmist did, that “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” I hope you desire that kind of faith as well.

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It is “human” to feel desire for something or someone. Desire prompts a longing that can only be filled once we’ve obtained the object of our desire. Some desires can be sinful, but others can be holy. The psalmist says that “the earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Only someone with radical faith can express this level of holy desire, because if we believe what the Bible says with all that is within us, life itself pales in comparison to God. Our priorities would change, our fears would fade, and our love would amplify. It is an inevitable result of high faith. I encourage you to stir your faith; to stir your belief in what you say you believe. And the only way we can do that is by exposing ourselves to the word of God and allowing our hearts to engage with the revelation that comes from the Holy Spirit.

Patience to Overlook

I believe it is human nature to want to see those who do wrong get their just punishment. Even as believers, we may want to chime in on what each wrongdoer’s punishment should look like. I watch a lot of true crime shows and I feel really good when I hear that a murderer is caught and even better when I hear that the sentence fits the crime. At times, we can let that mentality translate to those who have in some way offended us. We may want them to get what’s coming to them, so to speak. It is true that we worship a just God, but the Bible reminds us that it is not for us to judge and it is not for us to avenge. Those things are in God’s hands. Proverbs goes so far as to tell us that it is wisdom to overlook an offense. It says in Proverbs 19:11:

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

If we examine the life of Jesus, it is easy to see that he was extremely patient and able to overlook several offenses. He was patient with the woman who was about to be stoned for her adulterous acts when he didn’t have to be. And he forgave those who mocked him, even while he was on the cross! In as much as possible, we are to be like Jesus. Proverbs tells us that if we want to be wise, we need to be patient with others even to the point of overlooking an offense.

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Proverbs tells us that, “a man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” If you stop and think about what has been forgiven us by our Lord and Savior, any offense by any human pales in comparison to how far we fall short of the glory of God. Though knowing this, it still may not be easy to forgive an offense. But that is what we are called to do. I don’t think we are being told that we are to be treated like a door mat, but we are to treat others the way we would want to be treated. And I would venture to guess that when you offend someone, either by mistake or knowing full well what you’re doing, you’d want that person to overlook it. So, I encourage you to do what Proverbs says. In as much as possible, overlook an offense.

Will Not Fear

One way you can tell if someone is mature in the faith is to observe them when life presents challenges. Do they well up with fear and anxiety, or do they lean on God, the one who is our refuge and strength, the one who is an ever-present help in times of trouble? Psalm 46, verses 1 and 2 says:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,”

I honestly believe that mature believers don’t fear in times of trouble because they know that when we are weak, God is strong. It is in those times that we should fear the least because the outcome isn’t in our hands. When we have to depend on God, that is the best place to be, because we realize what we should know in every situation; that things are in his hands. This knowledge may not shield us from being sad, feeling loss, or struggling with our emotions, but it should help with our fear. If we know that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, then like Psalms 46 says, “we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall in the heart of the sea.” You may be thinking that this is easier said than done, but I submit to you that this is something that should come naturally to any mature believer. So, I encourage you, when life throws you a curve ball, remember this truth.

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There are several areas in the Bible where we are reassured that God is in control. And when we truly know this, we should have no fear. Why would you fear when you know that God is in control and that he has your best interest at heart? There is nothing too big for God, and whatever life throws at you, God is always there with you even when it doesn’t feel like he is. The truth is that the foundation of our faith should never be tested to the point of showing any weakness. Because what’s true is always true no matter what we’re facing. And the truth is that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Strong Foundation

Have you ever tried to learn something new, and as your tutor tries to help you, it’s like they skip the basics and go right for the more advanced stuff? It is easy to understand why one would struggle if they aren’t able to establish the basic foundation of what they are trying to grasp. At times, I can see the same thing happening with new believers. If you are new in the faith, I encourage you to concentrate on building the foundation first, and that foundation is learning and putting into practice the words and directives that Jesus taught in the Bible. In Matthew chapter 7, verses 24 and 25 Jesus says: 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

As you grow in the faith, you may not learn everything you need to know in one church service or one Bible reading session. This isn’t something that is rushed or instant. Just continually stay in God’s word and let the Holy Spirit water the seeds of spiritual growth as they are planted. Try not to compare yourself to someone who is more mature than you, and don’t look down on those who are less. Just focus on building your house on the rock; which is putting to practice the words of the Bible as you learn them. The sign of a strong foundation doesn’t always reveal itself when things are going great, but when problems and life struggles arise and rain and winds blow against your faith. If you’ve been putting to practice what you learn as you learn it, your foundation will become stronger and stronger. No need to try and jump ahead into areas that are well beyond your understanding, just stick to building your house upon a rock, and the Holy Spirit will make you more and more mature as you do.

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You might have heard people say that life is short. I know that I’ve said that myself. But I submit to you, that in some respects, life can be long – especially if you make the wrong decisions. That is why it is so important to build a strong foundation in Christ at the beginning of your walk. If you do, you’ll be able to weather the storms of life because you’ll have the basics down so well that the lies of the devil won’t sway your faith. Jesus says that building your house on a rock is a wise decision. And if you work on strengthening that foundation early in your walk with him, poor decisions won’t cripple you in your journey through life.

If God Is For Us

If you have a big brother, did you ever, as a kid, have him fight some of your battles for you? If so, you may agree that during your childhood, and maybe even your adult life, that by simply knowing your big brother is around, you feel a bit of added confidence or security around others. In your mind, you might have been thinking that “if anything happens to me, I can always call on my big brother and he’ll handle things for me.” With that kind of security, what is there to worry about? Well, I feel that kind of security magnified by a million when I think of our God. Romans 8:31 says:

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

When we have God on our side we should have total confidence in all things, much like you may have had at school when your big brother was around. I encourage you to keep thinking on that verse; “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul says this after explaining to the Romans that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” With words like these, what is there to ever be worried about? Even if there are real threats that you face, or long-term consequences that are in your midst, what is it to God? Is it too big for him? Certainly not. If God is for us, who can be against us? We have the ultimate protector, and that should give us ultimate peace and confidence if we are in step with him.

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“If God is for us, who can be against us”? There is a song we sing at my church with those lyrics, and it is currently my favorite song. It is a powerful song because this truth is so profound. If you are a believer, then you are on the winning team. How do I know? Because God made the rules, he even made the game, and he has your best interest at heart just like a good father has their children’s best interest at heart. As you think on the scripture, “if God is for us, who can be against us?”, I challenge you to think about any problems, anxieties, or challenges you face in life. God loves you. And the more you are in step with his word, the more of his ear you’ll have. Just tell him what’s up. He has your back. If God is for us, who can be against us? I never get tired of saying that.