Faith Delivered

Faith…do you have it?  And if you do, what does your faith reside in?  Does it reside in yourself; does it reside in your money?  Does it reside in your partner; does it reside in your government? 

Or does it reside in something you cannot see, but know is there?  Faith, what does it mean to you, has it shown itself to you?

If you follow this blog you know what one of my favorite sayings is:  “My faith is not a hope…it is a reality.”  Many question this statement, how can faith, something that many feel is arbitrary and selective be a guiding force is one’s life.  I offer….how can it not be.

I witnessed two examples of faith yesterday… one on the media, one personal.

With all the divisiveness and confusion our media offers today, I witnessedr one of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV yesterday.  A college coach, a national champion college coach, a man of conviction and faith stood on a press platform and answered to his faith.  It was the result of his comments after the national championship game where he thanked God for his life and the ability to do what he does.

Dabo Swinney in many ways gave his testimony on national TV in his press conference yesterday.  He did not plan it, he did not expect it, but there it was, the result of a question by a reporter.  A question that he was grateful he was asked.   

What a great man of faith.  Thank you Dabo, if our colleges were filled with more leaders like you, instead of those that aspire to tear down our faith our younger generation would be much better served and our country would reap the rewards faith offers.  If you haven’t seen it, it was on ESPN and I hope it is out there in viral land…you have to listen to this man’s words and then you may have a glimpse at his faith and the strength it plays in his life.

But faith does not always have a happy ending.  We are tested in our faith; some until the day they die do not see the rewards a walk in the faith of Christ can offer.  But their reward rests in the reality of what their belief is to begin with…that there is something better than this life of struggle and turmoil.  Many have been killed for their faith, but even more have been saved by their faith. 

Yesterday on Facebook I referenced Hebrews Chapter 11 which addresses true faith.  What does this chapter say to me?  It says that true faith resides in both victory and defeat; that at our highest we thank it and at our lowest we cling to it.  This is true faith, that no matter the outcome you know where your true being lies, you know who your spirit answers to and you know that whatever the outcome, win or lose, faith will see you to the next day, even if that day is in the arms of the angels.

Faith keeps you believing in a better life, faith keeps a smile on your face when all around is sadness.  Faith makes one strong to face their enemies, even when the odds are overwhelming and faith keeps us focused on what’s really important…not who won the big game last night, but where our soul resides tomorrow; something I’m sure Coach Swinney will testify to. 

Some lose faith when things go sour, and even more sadly some lose it when their life exceeds their expectations.  Your faith will be tested all through your life, in good times and bad, it’s how you respond to these experiences that will reveal your true level of faith; have faith that when your life is played out before your eyes in the presence of our Creator...that your faith will open the gates to eternity.

Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  If you read Hebrews 11 it is a who’s who of those tested in their faith and overcame.  But there are so many other examples it doesn’t explain and admits to it in verse 32.

Of all these I identify and admire David the most.  Many criticize his life committing some of the worst sins imaginable, but he never gave up on God, he never shunned his faith, and for that he was rewarded.  As written in Isaiah 64:6 “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”  Peter tells us in his first book in chapter 4 verse 15 “If you suffer, it should be not as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even a meddler.”   This puts the sins of a busy body in the same light as a murderer.  That is hard for us to understand but “we have all sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  But as I said, David never turned his back on God, which is a deadly sin in the eyes of God.

As a testament to his faith David says in Psalm 139 verse 23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”   By this David put his faith in God to deliver him to greatness and victory over his adversaries.  Psalm 144 verse 15: “Blessed are the people of who this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”   This is the foundation of faith, a foundation that can withstand anything.

Yesterday I made a Facebook post that relayed the strength I have in my faith.  It has not always been so strong.  Since I received the Lord into my life at the age of 14 it has certainly had its highs and lows.  But as I reflect on a life that has seen me go from being homeless in my 20’s to being the sales & ops manager for a $20 million dollar company in my 30’s and then back to being homeless in my 40’s to where I am today in my 50’s it is my faith that has always sustained me. 

Monday was a difficult day for me as I was faced with the reality of unemployment and strained finances.  But Tuesday morning (yesterday) I woke up with a fresh attitude and the continued faith that God had a plan for me.  I made a post that said “I have faith today will be a good day, because my faith is not hope it is a reality” and I accompanied it with some of my favorite personal photos I’ve taken recently.  I had faith and a good feeling about the day and didn’t let my circumstances affect my outlook on life.  What God has in store for us none of us really know, but in faith we trust, and faith delivered.

At 5:45 PM on my way to Bible study I got a phone call…I got a job, and my spirit was lifted and I thanked the Lord for answered prayers.  What I do, I do for His Glory, this blog being a small part of it; and thru faith and the Grace of God I can continue to spread the Word that I feel I am called to do.

That is my testimony for this week, have faith and know that even if you can’t see it…you can always feel it; and know that even when you may doubt your own resolve, He has faith in you and those that have faith in Him.

May your faith be strong as we find deliverance in the Blessings of His Promised Land.  

Bryan A. Stross 1/16/2019    

Reflection: A Psalm of Faith & Thanks …Psalm 136

With faith we live, in faith we die, for thru faith… we know what waits on the other side. 

Do not ever lose sight of your faith, for even though you cannot see it….know this…it sees you.