Consider times when God’s people stepped into the unknown…
When Abraham left his family to go to a land God would eventually show him. When the Children of Israel left Egypt. When young boys were told by an iternerate preacher (Jesus) to follow Him. When Peter got out of the boat, in the middle of a storm, to go to Jesus who was walking on the water. These are just a few examples of stepping into the unknown to follow God.
In each case faith was required. Not blind faith mind you… for when faith is placed in God it is never blind. As it is written in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Question: When was the last time you did something in response to God’s call that required faith? When was the last time you followed God and you knew that the only possible way there would be success would be for God Himself to bring it about? When was the last time God was your first, only, and last hope?
Has that ever been the case in your life?
Since we know Hebrews 11:6 is true… are we pleasing God with the way we live? Or is our existence so lacking in faith that we are fooling ourselves into thinking we please God? Are we living such a comfortable and risk free lives that our safety has become a stench in God’s nostrils? Only you can answer that question for yourself.
I would encourage us to live in the manner Paul described when he wrote, “We walk by faith… not by sight!”
For some, teaching would be walking by faith. For others, talking to an unbeliever about Jesus would require living by faith. For you it might mean any of 1,000 things.
I suggest that the only way we can determine if we are pleasing God as believers is when we live our life in a manner that REQUIRES faith! Otherwise we’re playing around and not assaulting the gates of hell.
Ask God… what would you call me to be involved in that requires faith? What would you like for me to be a part of that would require faith? What is there that I need to let go of that would require me to have greater faith in You?
Then… follow God outside the gates, step out of the boat, leave your safety and security behind you, walk up to the Red Sea and wait for God to part the waters. And then you will see the mighty and of God!
Thank you for this! It’s amazing that you are bringing up two very important scriptures the Lord showed me months ago. I’ve been praying about attending a different church and it’s taken a lot for me to leave the church I’ve basically grown up at. The scripture about Peter stepping out of the boat and the scripture you bring up about parting the Red Sea and walking out on faith – both scriptures the Lord showed me regarding this big change in my life. Just thought you should know. Thanks!
I’m glad encouraged you through His Word. As it is written, “Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.”
May you please our Lord constantly as you follow His call for your life.
Ron