Steve Martin
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6-7, NASU)
When is enough faith enough already?
Or, as you might think, “I have faith. Isn’t that enough for me to the end of this life?”
That question recently came up when a younger pastor and I were considering the costs of operating the church facility, and the needs that seemed to be always in front of us. As we talked back and forth, we briefly considered when we would have reached the “faith maximum bar“, as I call it. Reaching that point in our lives for each of us, you included, when we have built up enough faith to last us through to the end.
Now I know that that bar doesn’t really exist. But wouldn’t it be nice if we just might get to the point in our faith walk when we reach a certain marker when the faith we have thus far will be enough faith to last us to the finish?
The Lord Himself tells us that that answer would be a “no”. Because He always wants us to have to keep trusting, keep looking, keep believing in Him, He will always require that we walk in faith. For all that we need and desire.
Often I myself, even one who has now walked with the Lord for over 50 years (being 64 years of age at this writing), still continually finding myself in the position of needing to put my trust in Him. And pray more. And seek more. And believe Him for more.
And that is the way He likes it.
For without faith, we cannot please Him. Without faith, it is sin if we go on our way thinking we have “enough”, as the one with the full barn thought, so as to not have to rely on His provision, His protection, His guidance in our life today, or tomorrow.
“And He (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, ' You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:16-21, NASU)
Wouldn’t it be great to someday tell our kids and grandkids, “When you reach this age or get to this point, you have made it. There will be no more need to trust God for the daily bread, or the upcoming days' provision, for you have crossed that point. You can coast from here.” And yet I know I can’t say that, for until I go onto the glory promised in the next life, it will daily take trusting faith for this day to day walk we have with our Lord Jesus.
For many of us, Abraham is one prime example of being required to trust on and on, almost to the point where you would think he could not believe. Way beyond the physical means did both he and Sarah reach when having a son was possible. And yet the Lord kept Him in the place where he had to believe. In the end, he was rewarded for his faith.
Many of those who have walked before me have shared their opportunities given by the Lord to believe God for more. They could have rested on their laurels, called it a day, and sat back while reaping the bounty of their harvest. But each time the Lord wanted to bring them into a deeper walk with Him, and for the sake of others. Thus, they couldn’t rely on the previous faith that met the challenge last time. They drew strength from those previous faith challenging experiences, knowing He Who is faithful always came through, but each time going forward they needed fresh manna, a new word, another encouragement given by His Holy Spirit to go beyond where they were at before. He was there to give them what they needed, as they pressed on.
Today you might be having another faith challenge – for daily food, another house or car payment, a relative needing the Lord to touch them as only He can. You may be leading a congregation, big or small. and realize you need more than what you have, to keep giving what they are looking to you to give.
Do you have enough faith already? My experience is that what you have has brought you this far. What you need in the future is what you will still need to believe God for whatever He calls you to do. It will take obedience. And it will take more faith on your part. That way you will always be putting your trust in Him, and not in that which anything else or person can fulfill.
I know He likes that. Having His children walk daily with Him, in faith, as He leads us on.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #399 - in the year of our Lord 03.12.19 – “Faith. Enough Already?” – Tuesday, 5:45 pm
