Day 32: Keep the Faith

Reading: Proverbs 3:21-35

Faith in God gives us true confidence. We may find confidence in things like sports, skills, looks and smarts, but ultimate confidence comes from The Lord. When we display a life of confidence, we gain wisdom from God, learning to apply His Words to our lives.
We find ultimate peace, trusting in Him to take care of us no matter what. When we sleep, we don't need to worry. We can have complete security in Christ no matter what our situations are. This goes for jobs, spouses, kids, and futures. When we have confidence in God, we trust in Him completely with everything.
Our faith and trust in God creates strong intimacy with Him. Could you imagine if you had a spouse you couldn't trust or have faith in? Or a friend you couldn't trust? What would happen to the intimacy of those relationships? The same concept goes with God. When we don't put our faith and trust in Him, it's hard to have a good relationship with Him.


Reading: Matthew 21:18-32

Making faith the center of your life can be a task. Jesus calls us to do this to have the best life now, and an eternal life with Him. He shows us ways of doing this throughout this reading. Great faith comes without doubt. To attain great faith, you must wipe away doubt. It sounds so simple, but it's a hard task. Jesus tells us though that we can wither fig trees and move mountains when we have great faith. Doubting is always the hard part.
Faith entails obedience. When we have faith, our actions will show it. When the religious leaders question Jesus' authority, they disobey by not believing in Him, even though they end up talking themselves into corners anyways! Jesus goes on to say that sinful people who have nothing to do with God in the first place are the ones who are more open to faith because they don't put their smarts and rituals in the way. Obedience is easier for them because they can see Jesus for Who He really is. Those with religious smarts assess too much and put their thoughts in the way. Truth is cancelled out by preconceived notions. This is very dangerous to faith.


Reading: Job 22:1-24:25

Faith in the middle of struggles is another tough element to life. We've all been there, or will be there someday. We see how Job handles his unending struggles and the accusations of his friends with faith. Though he says he searches for God and can't seem to find Him, he knows He's there, with great plans. Job knows his life and knows he's innocent in the eyes of God, even though his friends continue to accuse him of doing wrong, which led to his misfortune. Job knows God has a grand plan though, and he keeps the faith through the hardship and accusations. How easily could he have turned from God though.
The lesson we can take from this is to keep the faith in all of life's situations. The fires of life may hurt and burn us, but we come out stronger because of them when we keep the faith. Job shows this throughout his story. God may feel far away, but He is there through it all, asking you to trust Him. What you decide to do from there is what will form your character and faith.


Faith can be a daunting task. But when we hold on to it, it is beautiful. Let your actions speak about your faith, no matter your circumstance.