podcast link below:
https://anchor.fm/beth-madison/episodes/F-A-I-T-H-e1eiqtm
Hebrews 11:1
NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see
CEV Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.
GNT To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see
NCV Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it
Have you ever tried to dig up a scrubby little bush out of your garden, flower bed, or yard? At first glance, you think “oh just a few shovelfuls and a few yanks, and done!” only to realize (much) later that digging out this little bush might be just well result in a hernia, bent spade, or cracked axle on the truck.
And after the heat has cooled from your muscles, anger, or truck engine, you look in amazement at the size of the root system on this one scraggly bush. The root ball is at least twice in size as the above-ground portion with dense, gnarly main roots big enough to serve as good axe handles. These roots then branch into multiple wiry protrusions of smaller and smaller roots and fibers fiercely holding onto that massive amount of soil that came up with the bush.
But your job isn’t done – now you’ve got to haul in enough soil to fill the gaping hole left by that scruffy little bush which seems far bigger now than before you started the one-hour turned into a half-day task of getting it out of the ground.
Yet the hole left in a heart or life by the loss of someone with a fiercely rooted deep faith can’t ever be filled.
For such a faith has grown its way into the lives of many leaving roots that yearn for a faith that believes densely, deeply, and devotedly in God. And these roots grow a desire to know that which is beyond what they can see or touch now.
Someone with a fierce faith is one who might not seem like much on the outside but whose faith in God went deep down in a thick, closely rooted hope and courage that wouldn’t be moved by anyone or anything, including trucks, tornadoes, or trials.
Her frame or face might’ve been easily overlooked in a crowd, but her prayers would bring many to their knees. His talents or training might’ve been passed over on a resume, but his wisdom would bring light to that which was hidden.
For when a fierce faith person spoke, it was the gift of truth wrapped in a love, grace, and peace that came and stayed long after she left. Trials, tests, and trouble had taught her that believing God was the important thing in life. And this believing had sent deep dense roots of faith into God as her Rock when there was nothing left on the surface of her life but scraggly circumstances. She didn’t have the energy or strength to live a life that looked good; everything she had was sent down into the soil of her soul to grow that faith that wrapped itself around God without letting go. Thus, her words were always faithful and firm, even if they weren’t fancy or forthcoming.
She might’ve been hunched over from pain, disease, and hard work but her faith was standing straight, strong, and solid. His hands might’ve been rough, calloused, and bent but his heart was tender, open, and true to all.
She had a faith that was even wirier than she was. He had a faith that would root itself into his children, grandchildren, and neighbors’ lives, even if they didn’t want it to.
For they had a F.A.I.T.H. that steadily grew deep within from being rooted in the strong belief that God would provide for the now and the not-yet.
Their F.A.I.T.H. was fierce. And that’s the kind of faith I want for the storms of today and the unknown of tomorrow.
F.A.I.T.H.
Following.
Against.
Instincts.
Towards.
Hope.*
*the Hope found only in Him who is our Help, Healer, Home, and Hope of glory
F.A.I.T.H. that moves mountains.
F.A.I.T.H. that is mustard-seed sized.
F.A.I.T.H. that thrives in hard circumstances.
F.A.I.T.H. that remains fierce against fear.
For F.A.I.T.H. is irreplaceable in lions’ dens, prisons, and fiery furnaces, against giants, armies, and rivers, and amidst storms, death, and days without answers.
And F.A.I.T.H. is unmistakable in quiet hearts and calm demeanors of those holding fast and fiercely onto the God Who never leaves nor sleeps and has everything and everyone held firm in His grip.
That’s the kind of life I yearn for because that’s the kind of faith I pray for.
A life and legacy of F.A.I.T.H. that leaves deep roots, big holes, and straight paths to Jesus.
Dear Father God,
Thank You for putting fierce faith people in my life. Thank You for giving me the legacy of such as these. Please help me to believe You as they did – simply, quietly, and faithfully,
In the strong Name of Jesus,
Amen.
If you’d like to read a similar post I recently wrote on trusting God, click on the link below;
https://soulscientistblog.com/2022/01/18/s-t-a-y-in-2022/
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Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2022.
Soul Scientist 