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3 Strong Stances of Faith

Prayer

What is it about this obvious stance of faith that we fail to understand? How many more examples do we need before we begin to believe in the power of prayer? We can easily start with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. This is the infamous place where Jesus prayed until His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44). This is, of course, the night He was betrayed.

Do you think that would have been the opportune time for us to run? I mean, really, the Lord knew that in this great display of betrayal and mockery, He had the power to stop it. However, His prayer was that the Father’s will be done, not His own. What about the apostle Paul? As he spoke with the church in Thessalonica, he was urgent in reminding them of continuing on in the faith. He was affectionate towards them as he saw them pressing through a time of persecution. We should all be reminded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.

Maybe we just need to be reminded of our very own position. This is was James does as he reminds us that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  He was speaking of the prophet Elijah. James makes sure to point out that our nature is no different than his was. I know that a lot of people think that they may not be righteous enough, but that is not the case. Stand on the word, for it tells us that we became the righteousness of God in Christ. If you are in Him, and He in you then pray. Mountains have been moved, but a lot more than mountains have been moved with this stance of faith. If you have not already become one, then now is the time; become a prayer warrior (2 Chron. 7:14).

Desire to Please God

            When I think of pleasing God, I have to admit it seems like it would be quite difficult. This is another reason that I thank God for His word. How many times do we think of what may be found pleasing to God? The word tells us that the sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:16-17). With that being said, has that kind of spirit manifested itself in us? Or are we just dead-set on getting our way, expressing our thoughts, or claiming our rights?

                Our society provides us with an abundance of opportunities to please God. However, for some reason or another, we are broken over nothing. Every time the enemy uses a tool for division and discord we are quick to take the bait. We jump to the right to please ourselves over the argument and treat one another with disdain. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think the Lord finds that to be pleasing in His eyes. A strong faith is built on an unrelenting desire to please God. The issue for most is that in order to please God, we must relent of self (John 15:13).

Trusting in God

This is the saying that will send people into a fit. I understand. However, as much as it may seem to be a cliché thing to say, it remains a stance of the most faithful. Why? Well, do we think we have a better way? It only takes me but a thought, and I can recall failure in many areas of my life that I did not trust God. On the contrary, I can also tell you about many times that I simply trusted in God and He saw me through.

What about you? Has god seen you through and you don’t recall? This wasn’t the case for King David as he reminded Saul that it was the Lord who delivered him in the past and He would certainly do it again (1 Sam 17:37).  We are no different when it comes to recalling past victories. The problem comes when we take our eyes off the Lord and start looking upon that which we see. For this reason, the scripture tells us that we look not at the things which are seen, but of the things unseen. The things seen are temporary, but the unseen are eternal. Trusting in God is a solid stance of faith, for we walk by faith, not by sight.