A Step-By-Step Journey By Faith

Old Testament believers were challenged by temptations and difficult circumstances that tested them. But they persisted and pursued. The Bible states that the “died controlled and sustained by their faith, having not received the tangible fulfillment of (God’s) promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, …” (Hebrews 11:13). They did not focus on earthly things, this world in which they lived. If they did, the Word states they would have been distracted and become homesick for worldly things. Instead, their attention was on God, on things above, on a heavenly home. They did not experience what they were hopeful for, but they knew the spiritual reality of it and held fast to the truth in faith. (Hebrews 11:15)

Although they lived before Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel that He brought, they lived believing in God and the prophets. In that way, we, as New Testament children of God, are similar to them; we believe!

“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen” (Hebrews 11:1 TPT). This New Testament verse is a perfect explanation of the life of the Old Testament believer. It is a perfect description of how we should live today, as we reflect on the lives of others who have gone before us.

Considering their lives should encourage us to “run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us” (Amp Hebrews 12:1). We do this by looking away from all that distracts us to Jesus; He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, which equips to take this step-by-step journey of faith (Amp Hebrews 12:2), while we are citizens of heaven living on earth (Philippians 3:20). We have faith for the journey because the Father gave it to us: we have the measure of faith (Romans 12:3) and like precious faith with Peter and the apostles (Amp 2 Peter 1:1). The journey demands our full attention to be on Jesus. With our attention on Him, we see the cross, and by revelation of the Holy Spirit, we see His suffering. But we also see the outcome, His resurrection and position of honor with the Father. As we see His life, suffering, and death, what He endured for us and the outcome, we see our own trials in perspective to that. This helps us to “not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart or relaxing and fainting in our minds” as we go through trouble, suffering, or temptation (Hebrews 12:3). Our strength comes from Him giving us patience as we endure by faith.

We know great things about God through His Word. The Word confirms that He is our “All-Powerful One”, Elohim. He informs us that nothing is too difficult, to hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:27). He stirs the sea; He is called the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 45:11). He is King over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:9). He created the heavens and the earth by His power; nothing is too difficult or too wonderful for Him (Jeremiah 32:17). Trusting in Him, He sets us securely on high (Proverbs 29:25). He has done and continues to do great and awesome things for us (Deuteronomy 10:21). He deserves our praise and glory (Deuteronomy 10:21).

These attributes of God are confirmed, creating a strong foundation of truth upon which believers live. But the journey remains step by step, truth by truth revealed. Step by step, we gain knowledge, believing, trusting, being steadfast, persistent, and pursuing Him and experiencing intimacy with the Lord. We use our faith muscle to do this, a muscle that grows and matures; it is an exercise of faith. The journey is fraught with temptations and challenges. But, like the witnesses of old, we persist and pursue with our attention on the promises of God; we persist believing. The journey may have suffering, but we journey by the supernatural faith, given to us as children of the Most High God. During the journey, just like Jesus was with the Father, so we too are with Him through Jesus. The Father was His constant companion, as He benefitted from His strength and power at work; therefore, Jesus was able to endure patiently, completing the goal that was set before Him (John 5:19; John 14:10). Jesus faithfully completed His work and now shares His faith with us to complete ours.

God is faithful toward us just like He was with Jesus. This is demonstrated by His work in our lives. He helps us, by His strength, to live empowered by Him. “(Not in our strength) for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in us (energizing and creating in us the power and desire) both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight (Philippians 2:13).

This is only possible in partnership and union with Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing; we must be vitally connected to the Vine (John 15:4). Just as the Father in Jesus did His works and deeds of power (John 14:10), this union, communion, and intimacy are vital. We must trust by faith and not be distracted by the temptation or difficult circumstance, never judging by natural events, but only by faith, according to the Word of God, which shows us His character and His promises.

Look at the heavens and the earth, the creation of His hands, and know nothing is impossible for Him! Amazing Creator God is the same God Who is in union with us right now on our earthly journey. Knowledge of Him is essential. He has supplied us with everything we need for this step-by-step journey, a journey lived with Him in faith.