Faith is the
substance of things hoped for… Hebrews 11:1
In my
reading Springs in the Valley, a
devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman, it prompted me to think about my small view
of God. He is my hope, the substance of my faith, so, on any given day where do
my hopes lie?
My shallow
thinking needs to be transformed by the depths of God, the height of His love,
and the expanse of His mercy and grace. My finite brain can’t see past the
hurdle in front of me. My “hope” is in the weekend. I have lost sight of His vision,
of His “I AM able” and find myself spiritually near-sighted.
Faith should
stir me to action yet I wallow in fatigue. Faith should launch me out into the
depths, but I hang around the shoreline. Faith should awaken possibilities and
opportunities yet I often feel stuck.
Faith is
bigger than my thoughts; it is born out of a hope in God—knowing that He is at
work in every heart, in every situation to bring completeness to every soul. He
works even in the smallest details; nothing is beyond His reach or knowledge.
He works continually to accomplish His purpose for my life and yours.
This has
whispered into the depth of my soul, my need to broaden my vision of Him, to
take down the barriers I’ve placed around Him and my world. I can’t put God in
a box—He is bigger, much bigger than that. He is the same God who parted the
Red Sea. He is the same God who toppled Jericho’s walls. He is the same God who
delivered Daniel from the Lion’s mouth and three youths from the fiery furnace. I serve and love the God who spoke the
universe into existence, created the stars, and yet knows me by name—because He
wove me in my mother’s womb too. And, He
accomplishes both the monumental and the smallest things in my life…
My faith
must be expanded by my hope—my vision of Him. I need to see beyond my field of
vision, beyond my small spaces, to the vast vision of His glory.
So, Lord,
expand my view. Open my understanding. Renew my mind to begin to understand
your vastness. Help me to see, for my faith depends on it. Take my tiny mustard
seed faith, for faith is the substance of things hoped for! You, LORD are my hope; the anchor of my soul
(Hebrews 6:19)
Transform my
thinking and enlarge my vision of who You are and what you are doing around me because
faith is the substance.
How Big is Your God?
Jeanne
"Faith should stir me to action yet I wallow in fatigue." Powerful statement, Jeanne. Thank you for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteHow neat that I've been asking this same question? How big is my God? And since I've begun asking that question and asking God to show me more of Him, it is astounding!
ReplyDeleteI am living in more freedom, knowing and seeing just how big our God is.
Thank you for writing this, Jeanne.
Vonda,
ReplyDeleteI feel challenged too!! My myopia is squelching the potential of His power. I want to get a new pair of glasses :)
Jeanne
Jean Ann,
ReplyDeleteI believe the Lord is stirring His children :)
I am excited to see what He is doing.
Jeanne
I love this Jeanne! Thanks for always giving me just what I need on the day I need it. God is working through your wonderful writing ability and I am so blessed to know you. Faith and hope are two of my favorite words these days.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
-Angie
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAngie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a message I need myself--desperately. I want to BELIEVE He is ABLE to do everything that concerns me.
Psalm 57:2, Psalm 138:8
Hugs, my friend,
Jeanne
Thank you Jeanne for once again taking me deeper.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy.
ReplyDeleteI want to be amazed at how deep He is!!
Hugs,
Jeanne
Oh, Jeanne! The Lord has used your message in my life in a powerful way. I am now praying for him to remove those Jericho walls of mine and increase my vision. Would that I in turn have the courage to act on it I pray.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, Carla!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with me
Jeanne