Stepping Out in Faith

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. May God bless and keep you always, and May God strengthen you as you step out in faith each day!

Jude 1:24-25

I remember one service when I was a child, we were having an altar time and everyone in Mom and Dad’s church were down at the altar praying. This one young man near me was fervently praying over and over “Move LORD, move. Oh! How we need you to move!” You could clearly feel the sincerity in his prayer as he sought the Lord. Imagine my surprise when Dad leaned over and whispered to him “God’s already moved brother. It’s your turn.”

I haven’t thought of this in years but as I was reading the Bible today, a phrase jumped out at me and reminded me. Jude prays here for God to receive all glory, majesty, dominion and power for who He is and what He does. He specifically mentions that God can keep us from falling (and faultless) and that it is His joy to do so. The thing that jumped out at me though is the timing in the last line of verse 25.

Jude acknowledges and prays that God’s blessings and keeping be with us continually. However, he prays for the strength of God to show up as we step out daily in faith. Oh! How this flies in the face of much of today’s faith teaching. Many believe that faith is a way for us to use scripture to get God to move. It is widely taught that faith is grabbing a passage from the Bible which shows God our heart and this prompts Him to respond to us and move on our behalf. Lest we forget, God already knows our hearts.

Notice what Jude says here:

God will strengthen and guide us, but it’s as we step out in faith each day. We often wait for the Lord to give direction and strength before we move. This is like turning the steering wheel when the car is turned off. It’s fun for a child but It’s just not the way that it works.

PRAYER for the Day:

LORD Jesus, I ask You today to give me the wisdom to exercise real faith. Show me today how I can honor You through trust and obedience. I don’t need to see all of the big picture. I don’t need to feel strong enough to do what’s set before me. I certainly don’t need to try and force Your hand. I just need to trust You enough to start moving and keep moving through the daily power that the Holy Ghost provides. Thank You Lord that You are more than enough. Acknowledging who You are, and that You are my constant companion, I step out today in obedient trust.

Pastor Ed Brewer