Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
What is the substance of your life? What is “the real physical tangible matter of which you consist and has a tangible solid presence in your life”? Substance adds weight to our life. In continuing the ongoing study of mountains and more specifically the kind of faith that moves mountains (Matthew 17:20), I wonder if we changed the substance of our life then would it break down the mountain of doubt on which we stand. Part of our driveway is broken. The large pine trees roots underneath caused it to be unleveled. When the previous owner parked a fully loaded moving truck on it, the weight of the truck broke apart the foundation. I wonder if our faith outweighed our doubt if it too would break the foundation of our fears. What if the mustard seed of faith planted grew large roots and then we put the substance of our life including every need, want and desire on top of it. Would the mountain move? Would it begin to break apart on its way to the sea? I wonder…
Faith is the substance of things hoped for not what we see. The evidence of our faith are deep roots of trust and dependence on the Lord without seeing it first. God gives good outcomes. He completes us. He finishes what He starts. The Lord wins every battle engaged in. He is the overcomer of the world. He promises good things to us in the land of the living. The righteous will not fall. All these wonderful and precious promises are there for us but do we place our life upon Him. Jesus is the Cornerstone described as the One the builders rejected. What if we became approved builders who decided to build our life and existence on God taking Him at His Word and pursuing His Son as our source rather than just the blessings and promises He offers. I wonder…
Proverbs 6:30-31 (NKJV) People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house.
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10) If God’s Word is true, it also indicates that once vindicated that the thief must return to the owner sevenfold the loss. Sevenfold is seven times as great in number or amount. Therefore, as Children of God, the enemy owes us seven times anything that he has taken from us. I work in the insurance industry. According to most homeowner policies, if the insured experiences a covered loss, they must return the damaged property in order for it to be either replaced with like kind or better. In some cases, it will be for financial compensation according to the loss payment provision of the policy. The only requirement is that I keep the policy in effect. Two things are required – I pay the premium and keep my part of the conditions. I wonder…
Is it possible that we cannot obtain the substance of our faith because we will not relinquish the weight of our doubt including but not limited to fear, anxiety, stress, worry and even complaining and grumbling. Or could it be our lack of willing obedience in keeping with the guidelines of His Word which our way of acquisition in Christ? Could it be our substance that is keeping the mountain from being cast into the see? I wonder…
Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Jesus offers to shoulder the load of life with us. He will not take it from you. You have the freedom to choose whether you will carry the burden of your life or give it to Him. Life is hard. There will be struggles. We have an opportunity to transfer the weight or substance of our life to the Lord. We must choose to. Come to me – this is His Invitation. I will give you rest. The rest and peace of His Presence is a choice. We decide to plant faith in our life and let it break apart the foundation of the mountain of doubt keeping us from His Promises. Just like the moving truck that eventually broke the driveway did not receive its load all at once but box by box and with each piece of furniture carefully loaded, we can give our worries, cares and burdens to Jesus bit by bit. It is a trust process that will take time. Give Him one thing. Let the Lord show you His Faithfulness. Carry another concern to Him. He understands us. He knows us. He has experienced our weaknesses firsthand. He is patient, loving, kind and gracious! Why not try? I mean what do we have to lose. Faith over fear. Confidence instead of uncertainty. Promises and prosperity from the inside out. I wonder…
Romans 15:13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pure Devotion 