The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Chanell Branch Boyce
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
“For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
As a babe in Christ, I had little faith (cf. Matt 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20; Luke 12:28) and many questions. Nevertheless, Abba (God as Father) would answer my every question. At first, I thought it was coincidental; however, after each faithfully answered question, I was convinced that I was conversing with the God of the Bible. As my faith in God grew, the less Abba responded directly to my questions; instead, God’s Spirit reminded me of His Word, and my faith in Him increased even more.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The key to living by faith is making God, who is faithful, mighty, and true, the object of our faith. God helps us to increase our faith in Him, and He achieves this through various means, including His Word and life’s challenges.
GOD’S WORD. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17 NASB). First, God makes a declaration about something, to which we respond by faith. For example, the prophets of old heard God’s voice, and, responding by faith, they did great exploits, even suffering at the hands of those who did not believe in God (Heb 11:1–11). Faith is a gift from God that relies on God speaking first. We cannot hear God until He speaks and until we open our ears to listen to Him (Matt 11:15; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 14:35; Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). We respond to God by faith in repentance, and He restores us (Jer 31:18–20).
LIFE’S CHALLENGES. God also increases our faith amidst life’s obstacles, teaching us to trust Him. The shepherd, David, demonstrates such confidence in God when he encounters Goliath and says, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Sam 17:37 NIV). Exercising faith in God accomplishes great things. David does not trust in his strength but in God’s strength. “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” (Jer 17:5–8).
EXHORTATION
After Abba helps us increase our faith, we learn to trust Him to fulfill His promises. For, He does not lie and does not change His mind (Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29). Therefore, we can stay the course of life and trust God to make good on all His promises.
PRAYER
Dear Abba, we are thankful that You want our faith to abound and that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness (1 Cor 12:9). Remind us of Your faithfulness in our darkest hour. Help us to relinquish fear, worry, doubt, and anxiety and receive Your peace as we listen attentively to Your voice and follow You obediently. Fill us with all joy and peace as we trust You so that we may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:12). In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
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