January 13, 2022
How Fresh is Your Faith?
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Every morning my coffee maker is programmed to turn itself on so it’s ready to go as soon as I am. I’m a total coffee girl. I love a piping-hot dark roast with half and half, and I struggle to function without my first cup of coffee. I crave that first sip and relish the warmth of the mug in my hands. It’s my warm, happy friend. My mornings just wouldn’t be the same without coffee.
I want to have this same attitude about Jesus. I should wake up each morning bursting at the seams to be with God, to be in His presence, to listen for His still small voice, to savor Him. Yet on many days I don’t. I get busy. I get discouraged. I get distracted. I wonder if you do too?
A fresh brewed faith daily strengthens us, renews us, and enables us to mount up with wings like eagles, to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not faint. The prophet Isaiah said this about the readiness of God to bless His children…
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV).
God is the source of the non-fainting faith we long to live with, and He stands ready to meet with and provide for all who seek Him.
Considering this, how can we experience this power the Lord offers us each day? By getting alone with God, reading the Bible, and listening for His voice. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17 ESV).
Even still, like a morning with no coffee, foggy faith days happen to all of us. Times when trusting the Lord doesn’t come easily. Times when we need a shot of spiritual espresso. What can we do on days and in moments like this? We can remember.
One practical way to bolster faith is by the simple act of remembrance.
When David was just a shepherd boy, he had courage to face a giant named Goliath in part because he remembered the ways the Lord had helped him in the past. He approached King Saul with great confidence, saying: “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1Sam 17:36 NIV).
Young David’s past victories bolstered his believing and helped him to trust God with the scary giant in front of him. Through the spiritual discipline of remembering, our past victories can fuel our faith and help us trust God with the challenges we face today too. We can face the giants of today with a David-sized confidence by pausing to remember how God has helped us in the past.
What has God brought you through in the past?
Think on these things. Write them down. Talk about them.
And choose to trust God to bring you through all you face today and tomorrow.
After all, our God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly far more than you or I could ever ask for or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)
When you trust God to give you a fresh brewed faith, He fills up your soul, simply because of who He is: your Strength, your Sustainer, your Fortress, your Deliverer, your Healer, your Redeemer, your Prince of Peace, your Comfort and your Hiding Place. All of which enables you to run and not grow weary. To walk and not be faint.
Pour me a cup of that!
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You’ve brought me through so many challenging times. Please remind me of Your faithfulness in the past so I can have a fresh shot of faith that equips me to live today in Your strength. Help me to trust You, and keep me from leaning on my own understanding. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
QUESTION?
What’s one specific event where you remember God moving powerfully in your life?
Grab a journal and write about it. Remember and reflect. Allow this to bolster your believing today.
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© 2022 by Gwen Smith. All rights reserved.
Originally published Thursday, 13 January 2022.
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