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Is Our Faith "Out There"?

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  Psalm 91:1-2  (NKJV)

Whatever's happening in the world needs to take a back seat to whatever the Lord is doing in our own lives. We could easily become overwhelmed with concern about what's going on "out there" when the most consequential happenings to us are those taking place in the relationship that we claim to hold most dear - the one between us and the Lord our God.

"Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday."  Psalm 91:3-6 (NKJV)

We don't place our trust- our faith, in the world. Our hope isn't challenged by the things happening "out there" because our focus is on the relationship with the One who holds us in His hand- the one who breathes stars into existence, the One who has created all that's been created, and the One whose love and devotion is pledged to those who truly love Him.

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.  Psalm 33:18-22 (NKJV)

If we're overly concerned or tormented by any fear, I wonder, have we forgotten even for a moment that our God sits on His throne in the most high heaven, reigning over all that exists and that He's pledged His love toward those who love Him? Is our faith ever allowed for even a moment to be tested by this world that our God will soon judge- even while He calls His own to Himself and into the safety of His covenant and promises? Where do we truly place our trust, our faith? We are weak and our Savior knows that. Fortunately for us, He is forgiving and His mercies are new every morning to forgive us for our weaknesses. But let's not let our momentary lack of focus linger at all though. Let us stand firm in the peace and confidence that He's given to us through Christ no matter what happens "out there". Let's focus on what's truly happening in the realm that stands forever. Let our confidence be made firm in the intimacy of our relationship with the God who rules over all things as calls us His own. Then whatever presents itself is no challenge to us, but to the God who holds us close and lavishes us with His love and attention. We may pose no threat against the world of our own power, but the God who reigns omnipotent stands all around us and calls us His children. What power can come against Him or the promises that He makes to His beloved?

"Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”"   John 16:31-33 (NKJV)

Whatever may come against us, no matter how it presents itself, or how it may affect us for the time, our faith in our God must not waver lingeringly to insult His integrity. He knows both the past and the future that we are blind to. And our trust in Him must be solid to believe at all times that He is working in our favor regardless of how things appear. At the end of the day, our victory has already been secured through Christ and we'll be rejoicing in the victory of our God endlessly when our time of testing and decision here is over if we truly love Him. In the mean time, as we love and believe Him, our path here is also covered by His promises and His love for us. Fear not, worry not, because our God is forever for us most powerfully as we are faithful to Him... no matter what's going on "out there"..

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Luke 12:29-34 (NKJV)




In Scripture...

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it." Deuteronomy 10:12-14 (NKJV)

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