This post is number 3 in the series: For my Daughters, a Letter of Grace, a series of letters I have been working on for my daughters about grace and faith and knowing God. I am sharing this as a part of the NaBloPoMo through BlogHer in November. My goal is to post a letter every day on a topic of faith that leads to grace. Even though I am writing this for my girls, it is meant for each of us as we, too, are daughters of the Most High whose faith needs to be encouraged and strengthened for the journey. I am so glad you are here.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. – Romans 10:17
My very earliest memories of church coincide with images of my grandparents. The Sunday morning routine, etched upon my heart with the wide brush of love, exemplified grace with every action. Even as a child, I recognized the peace which resided in the heart of one who knows Christ intimately; his faith built him and it influenced everything he did. Grandma’s was a different sort of example. She had a quiet strength that was covered with joy, like his, it led her decisions and actions. For me faithfulness was defined by them, their living revealed deep wide faith in a loving God who never leaves us nor forsakes us.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10
Covenant keepers is an accurate description of those whose life displays powerful faith and solid trust in God alone. This, dear ones, was my first glimpse of those who were justly walking by faith, somewhat of a contradiction to this world that we call home where everything changes quickly and fast is the way of living.
Hebrews says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. It is the fulcrum of belief; the answer for those things that we can’t understand when we look right at them, but know that there is a reason behind their purpose. Faith, dear ones, is the trusting that though we don’t fully know how to explain the Truth, we have complete assurance that it is just that…. TRUTH.
Mr. Webster defines faith as unquestioning belief that does not require proof, but for you I long to show you that the proof is all around you. Every where your eyes land, you can see that God’s fingerprint remains as an echo of His existence. His Word, laid out in a series of letters, texts, poems, and lessons on faith, detail and answer each question that we try to reason and wrestle.
Faith is a gift that He gives us, according to the book of Ephesians.
Faith, even the size of a mustard seed, can move mountains, the book of Matthew reminds us.
Faith is the direction that the just walk in freely, not blindly but purposefully, like the Paul taught the Corinthians.
Faith is the reservoir of hope that leads us to a life of righteous living rather than complacency, identified in Galatians.
Faith comes as we rest in the promises that are the bread of life to our very soul and hear His Word come alive in our hearts, testified in Romans.
Faith is not something I can give you, but it is something I can show you. Hebrews 11 is the “Hall of Faith” in the New Testament, the faith giants are listed there along with the obstacles that were overcome in their lives. Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, David, and the prophets, are just a few that this chapter extols for their journeys in faith. Each retelling of their story is meant to build you up in your faith journey.
That is what Romans 10:17 means. Your faith comes not just from the hope and the belief of those who went before you, though their prayers are the foundations you stand upon. Faith comes by time spent studying God’s Word, soaking it up, meditating on it, and letting this living, powerful and active truth become the seed that settles and takes root in the soil of your heart.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. If you are putting His Word into every gate of your soul, faith is the sure result of the effort. When you read it with your eyes, say it with your mouth, hear it with your ears, and even write it with your hands…. Faith becomes the anthem your testimony bears witness to. Do you realize that even the stones heed those kind of proclamations?
Faith allows you to be molded and shaped into the handmaiden who can say like Mary, with God nothing is impossible. You will need the kind of faith that is a contradiction to the world, because without it we can not please God. Faith fills you up so that you can stand strong against what is difficult and protects the soft pliable heart within from being hardened by the trials that will knock on life’s door.
This faith living, it isn’t for the faint at heart. You need to fight for it because you will be tempted to doubt and give up. Please don’t. Please remember that when we invite Christ into our hearts, within us resides power to overcome it all. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Jude 1:3,20 & 21 in the amplified version sums up my heart’s cry so well. ” Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. But I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort you to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God.]…But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [ make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher] praying in the Holy Spirit; Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) which will bring you unto life eternal.”
If you read through the 11th Chapter in Hebrews, you will see one of the most significant truths about this faith walking life. Faith allows us to testify of our hope, our final and complete trust in the One Romans 8:28 says is working everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Those heroes of faith didn’t all see the completion of their hope in this world, but we did. Our lives are a living testimony that transcends the temporal one we exist within while here on the earth. Your struggles will be the lever of grace someone else needs to keep moving on the journey.
Can I encourage you to remember this? God is always good. All. The. time. He is faithful and trustworthy. Every. Single. Time. He will never leave you alone in this life. No. Matter. What. Don’t give up the fight to hold on to faith as your cornerstone of hope. Believe in the power of faith.
My prayer for you comes from 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12. May God count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power in you. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May faith be the substance of all your hopes and the evidence of His seal upon your lives.
A challenge to study God’s Word:
He penned a love letter to you, lots of precious words that tell you about His heart and His hope for your living. They are the connection we have to the Father, dear one, powerful and alive and able to bring death to life. Don’t hesitate to spend as much time as you can resting in their wisdom, it will be the best time you have ever spent.
I challenge you to look these scriptures up and write them down in a journal, with this letter. Spend more time with HIS Words than mine, daughter. Let it resonate in your heart. Meditate on the promises. Make them your own. Breathe deep of His love for you and know I am praying always, never ceasing.
Romans 10:17, Jude 1:3,20, & 21, Hebrews 11, Isaiah 1:18, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 17:9-20, Galatians 5:5, 1 Peter 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
This project: For my Daughters, A letter of Grace, is a series of letters I began writing to my daughters to speak words of hope, love, and grace in their lives as they grow and face the challenges life always presents. These words are an invitation to give yourself grace and to rest in the sweet embrace of God’s love for you. You see, we are all daughters who need to be reminded that we are seen, we are heard, we are loved, and we matter. It is an invitation to read my heart and I’d love to have you, my friends, along for the journey. You can read previous posts here:
Linking up with friends for the journey:
Coffee For Your Heart, Three Word Wednesday, NaBloPoMo on Blog Her
What a beautiful legacy, to leave your heart in black and white for your daughters to savor, to lean into, to learn from.
I feel honored that you’d share them with us. Beautiful!
Thank you Linda! I appreciate your encouragement. This is one of those projects that while the intent, for me, is surely personal, the Lord has made it clear that the message is universal. We are each daughters of the most High and we all need to remember the simple truths that following Christ reveals.
I am so glad you are here!
Bless you,
Dawn
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” –> This is a good reminder for me. I’m always glad to have you at #ThreeWordWednesday.