A Faith that Stands

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+1&version=NIV

I have a sweet group of girls that I pray with twice a month. Our times of prayer together have become such a blessing – such a time of refreshment for all of us that we look forward to it almost with a yearning. It is a time of unloading burdens, a time of reminding one another of God’s faithful promises, a time of worship. This group and our time together, without question, is one of the most amazing blessings in my life.

However, I’ve noticed something these past two weeks. I’ve noticed that we’ve come up against challenges lately. Things that we prayed about in faith – scores on papers and exams, provision for car repairs, help with bringing closure to parts of our pasts, hopes for desires of our hearts - were met with disappointment and unexpected answers.

This morning as I was running, I was thinking about and praying about this – wondering what God’s purpose was in it, certain that he had one – or several. And knowing that God certainly had a purpose, I wondered if this was a challenge to our faith. Perhaps we’d given Satan a reason to have a conversation with God that went something like, “Sure, these girls pray boldly and expect answers, but what happens when those answers don’t come – or they aren’t what they wanted, or when huge challenges come against them. I bet their faith won’t be so great then”. Maybe God gave permission for these things to happen. Or maybe he allowed them to refine our faith – to call us to go deeper.

Either way, there is a verse in Micah that I’ve been standing on for several months, and I am determined (only through the help of God) to make it the foundation on which I continue to stand despite disappointment and challenge. It’s considered one of the strongest statements of faith in all of scripture. Here is the statement upon which Micah chose to stand:

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7

Micah lived in tough times – times when he very likely couldn’t understand what God was doing, times when his prayers of faith were met with disappointment. And yet he stands with great confidence. The faith of Micah that is evident in this inspired book is a faith that I want in my life. But I’m continually reminded that this type of faith is one that often comes from disappointments and challenges because it is here that a choice is made. The choice is whether we will continue to stand despite what we see or experience. After all, faith is in the unseen – and that’s what makes so amazing and God honoring. It’s a faith that doesn’t ask for proof before we will believe that God is the God that he says that he is. It doesn’t for action before we will believe that God will do what he says he will do. It’s instead stands on the Word, the promises, the love of God.

However, saying I want that faith and getting there are two totally different things. But I believe Micah makes a wise mentor, and by looking at what he did in allowing God to build his faith, we can set ourselves on the same path and walk towards that goal – towards the perfecting of our faith.

1) Micah knew that he could not build his own faith or learn God’s ways by his own power. Listen to what he writes in 4:4 – “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his path.” Micah understood two things. First, he understood that God is the author and perfecter of his faith – he knew that on his own, he could not muster up faith or learn the ways of God – he had to go to the source. Secondly, he clearly understood that to learn the ways of God you have to spend time in his presence – in his house and in his Word.

2) Micah believed God’s promises. He didn’t see the Savior, he had no evidence that He was coming, and yet if you read 5:1-5, he clearly received and believed the promise.

3) He understood a proper relationship with God – the kind of obedience required of a covenant people – and lived accordingly. God’s requirements are not burdensome. He simply asks us to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God” (8:8). As his chosen people living under the new covenant, we have one up on Micah – because not only do we know the requirements, but we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us walk in obedience.

4) Micah makes a choice to stand in faith – despite circumstances. This is evidenced by his amazing statement of faith in 7:7 that we’ve already read and discussed.

5) He understands and lives under God’s great mercy. He embarks on his journey of faith knowing that there are times he won’t get it right. He knows he can’t earn it but that God is merciful and compassionate. He also knows that through God he has victory over sin. “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance…You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sin underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depth of the sea” (7:18-20)

My prayer for you, precious friends, is that you would pursue God and know God the way Micah did. I pray that God would help you follow the path of this wise mentor He has shown us in his word. And I pray that God would work out a faith in you that stands on His promises and waits in hope.

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels