Faith

Faith is not faith if it requires evidence.

I believe that what God says about Himself is true because He said it, and He has graciously given me the faith to believe it. If things don't ever turn out the way I want, I will still believe that He is a merciful, loving, good God. I will not let circumstances dictate what I believe. I will not let circumstances rob me of my faith.

My view of this life is quite limited. I could never see the big picture as God does. I can never step completely out of my biases and misconceptions to even interpret correctly the part I can see. Why then would I choose to anchor my faith in my experience rather than in God's Word?


The prophet Habakkuk was told in advance of the horrors that were about to be visited on his nation for their sins. Rather than turning away from God, he deepened his resolve to praise Him:

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:2, 17-18)

I want to be like Habakkuk. I don't want to be dependent on having a smooth path, or having comforts, or even having all my needs met in order to praise God. I want to trust and praise Him whatever may come. Nothing that happens to me can change who God is.

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

And so I'll pray earnestly for what I desire. But if He chooses a different path than I would choose, I will praise Him still.

Lord, may it be true.