Your Daily Devotional for September 21, 2007

 

September 21,  2007

 

 

Showing Our Faith

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

 

Hebrews 11:4-6

 

 

An Australian missionary told a thrilling story of the Lord's special care for him as he made a lonely and dangerous journey on foot. He had no problem getting to his destination, but was uneasy on the return trip because he carried with him a large sum of money. A man was waiting at a lonely spot, planning to rob and kill anyone who passed by. The missionary, unaware of this but concerned about the risk of traveling alone, prayed aloud to God for protection as he walked along. Before the bandit saw him, he heard him talking and immediately thought there must have been two men, so he decided not to attack.

 

Later, he told someone what he had intended to do that day, and the news got around to the missionary. When the missionary heard it, he realized that God's Spirit had prompted him to pray aloud as he journeyed. His heart rejoiced as he thought of the Lord's wonderful protection from harm as he trusted Him.

 

Yesterday we saw that a person of faith trusts God even when there is no logical explanation. A person of faith does not reason his way through a situation but trusts God fully and steps out in faith. Today we will see how we can act out our faith in God.

 

Faith is demonstrated in our daily walk with God. Second Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight:" The very core of our faith is rested in Jesus Christ and is evidenced each day as we walk with Him. We display this faith as we daily choose to trust Him with our needs and live in the power of His Word.

 

Our entire Christian journey is a journey of faith! Habakkuk 2:4 says, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." We trust God for direction, provision, and power.

 

Our faith is also demonstrated by godly works. James 2:17-18 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." While those around us may not see our personal walk with God, they will be able to see the effects of our faith through our works.

 

It was faith that caused Abraham to offer up Isaac, the apparent fulfillment of God's promise. It was faith that caused the three Hebrew children to obey God and not bow to the king's idol. It was faith that caused David to face the giant Goliath. Throughout God's Word we see examples of those who demonstrated their faith through their walk with God and through godly works. We too must demonstrate our faith by living for God and serving Him.

 

Can those around you see your faith? Are you living in such a way that those around you know that you believe in God? Sometimes our loudest witness will be the demonstration of our faith. We must be faithful in our walk with God and in serving Him. Ask God right now to help you show others your faith by living for Him today.

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 7-9 • 2 Corinthians 13

 

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