Faith vs Fear

Ephesians 6:10 - Finally my brethren, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . .13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore . . .

I sat here this evening, on my couch, two days before Christmas, staring at my ‘bill book’. That is the place where I track what bills are coming in, what money is coming in, and what bills are paid. I moved this bill to this date, and that bill there, in a frantic attempt to make things fit. In a cry of desperation, that seemed to pour out from the depths of my soul I groaned, "Lord, I don’t know how I’m going to pay this, but You do. I don’t have the money to meet these bills, but I know You do. Please, God, provide for us. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen"

In that simple prayer, I got the peace that I needed to not worry about it anymore. But how? It’s as easy as this -faith. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Does God know that I have a need? Absolutely. Matthew 10:30 - But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. If God cares enough to know the number of hairs on my head, then of course He knows when I have a need. Luke 12:27 - 31

Does God have the ability to meet that need? Without a doubt. Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

If you look at that verse, it says he will supply every one of my Needs. Is water a Need? Of course. So, God will provide the funds to pay that bill. Are electricity and heat a Need? For me they are. I don’t know how to build a fire outside to cook my food, nor do I have a fireplace to burn wood to keep my children warm. So will God meet those Needs? Yes, He will.

I could easily become consumed with panic and worry, and fear. Unnecessarily, but I could. With the mounding bills, and due dates lurking around the corner, it is very easily to become stressed. But, in the first verses we looked at, God says, that sometimes, we just need to stand. Sometimes God calls us to spiritual victories. Sometimes to spiritual issues. But sometimes our strength is faltering, and our health is not optimal, and all we have strength left to do is just stand. Stand as a soldier at his post. If we’re standing, the opposing armies don’t know we don’t have the strength to fight. They just know that we look ready. And sometimes, that’s all we have.

So, this is where I am, God. I’m standing. I’m choosing to believe that You are going to meet my need. And, by faith, I know that You will.

What is your need, Christian? Are you going through a divorce? Keep standing. Are you alone and confused? Stand. Do you think that no one cares? God does. He brought you to where you are so you could draw close to Him.

Christian, sometimes, when there is nothing else, there is faith. No matter what the situation is, just keep standing. Stand therefore . . .