Based on “The Church—Why We Do What We Do, Part 4” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
2/27-28/10, Message #MB409; Daily Devotional #3 - “Mountain Moving Faith”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. (Acts 12:16) This story about Peter’s deliverance from prison is astonishing. The people were praying earnestly for Peter, but they probably thought the Lord would free him in a more logical way. Who would have ever thought that an angel would come to his rescue and break the chains that bound him? If that wasn’t amazing enough, then Peter and the angel walked right past the guards and through the iron gate. (Acts 12:7-10) Passages like this bolster my faith! But, what happens if your situation is more like Joseph? You are locked up for 13 years, through no fault of your own, and each time you get a glimmer of hope, nothing seems to happen.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): We can understand that feeling of hopelessness because we have all been there. In this day and age, many are teetering on the edge of faith and doubt. You have examined your life, and your situation is not the result of sin. As a matter of fact, you have been very careful to follow the Lord’s instructions. You’ve been wise, but all of a sudden you find yourself without a job due to the faltering economy and now you are facing foreclosure. You can’t find another job, and all of the reserves you have set aside for a rainy day are drying up. You’ve prayed earnestly waiting for a miracle, but each passing day brings more uncertainty. This doesn’t just apply to financial issues, but any issue that may be causing you pain right now. How do we continue to have faith in those desert times?
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Our family has gone through several years of trying times. These times can be very confusing. Let’s face it, sometimes you feel as if your heart is just broken because you simply can’t understand why your chains haven’t been released from your feet. But let me encourage you to keep having faith! Continue to read the Word daily and get to know the true character of God. I have been doing a lot of reading in the Word, and I have also been reading biographies of evangelists and missionaries. They faced things that many of us could never imagine happening in our lives. But there is one trait the men and women of faith had—dependency. They surrendered each and every area of their lives to Christ. They truly abandoned all and lived a life of faith and not fear. Even when they were faced with things such as dysentery, homelessness, and human suffering, they never let their faith falter. Every need was met in their lives and, when they were able to realize that, it was only then that they could fully do the work the Lord called them to do. The Lord used those “angels” on earth to be His hands and feet to draw others to Him. That is what He wants to do with us. He wants us to shake off all the cares of this world and focus only on Him. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We have to remember each day that nothing belongs to us--it is all His. If that is the case, then what do we have to fear? If we ask for bread, will He give us a stone? (Matthew 7:9) Surrender it all to Him. When faced with uncertainty, know the Lord is with you, and at just the right time He will reveal His glory in an astounding way!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Isaiah 43:10, John 14:12, Ephesians 2:10
HS
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.