FAITH THAT LETS GO

*Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see (Heb 11:1).

            The disciples, who were struggling on the sea of Galilee and rowing against the wind and waves, had to give up the fight and turn to Jesus who was sound asleep in the boat.  One word from the Messiah and the sea was suddenly calm. 

            “Oh you of little faith.”  He told them. 

            Peter had to let go of the boat that dark stormy night when Jesus walked over the water to the disciples once again on rough waters.  When Jesus called to Peter, he climbed over the side of the boat and let go of the gunwales.  On top of the rough roiling water, he walked.  Until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked instead to his troubles.  He then sank.  Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed Peter just before he went completely under the water and pulled him out. 

            Jesus said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Math. 14:31

*“True faith drops the letter in the Post Office and let’s go.  Distrust holds on to the corner”.

            That’s me, holding on, keeping it near my side or mailing it and worrying if it got there.   Picking up the burden after placing it at the feet of Jesus and strapping it once again to my back.   

            Like with Doti, who is sick now.  I pray but I worry.  I give it to Him but I fret.  I put her in His hands but I strive over what I should do.  My peace is shattered and my joy disappears.

            Why do I do this?  Because I think I can handle the thing better than God?  Or because I am afraid of the outcome He may bring?

            The answer may not be something I want. It may bring pain and grief.  I may lose Doti.  I shrink, I run from the possibility.  From pain. 

That’s my nature. To hang on to, cling to, struggle under the burdens.  And yet don’t I know He holds me in His powerful, righteous right hand? 

Do I forget He love me with an everlasting love and works all things for good in my life?

Do I doubt that He is in control of all situations and that His way is best for me?

“Commit everything you do to the Lord and He will help you. Ps 37:5 NLT

            I like the Amplified, “Commit our way to the Lord (roll, and repose each care of your load on Him) Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.”

            When I roll or lay each care, not just each load but EVERY care in His hands, He works.  He brings it to pass.  He will help me.  When I commit my cares to Him He acts. Not before.

            Do I give myself too much trouble with Doti?  Or other things?

 If I commit her to God, I should not feel anxious or afraid.  If I trust, rely on, lean on, be confident in God, I should not then worry.  If I roll my every care on the Lord, I should not continue to carry them.  Right?  How can we both carry one burden? 

When I am worrying, fretting or striving I am not trusting. 

“Do not fret or have ANY anxiety about ANYTHING, but in EVERY circumstance and in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.” Phil. 4:5 AMP

Read that again.  Pretty all conclusive, I would say. No circumstance is too big for God. There is not a storm big enough that He can not calm.  He may not always work in the way we want, but that’s where the trust comes in.  Knowing, believing, being confident that He ALWAYS works for our good.

Verse 4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice.”

Praising Him and making our request always with thanksgiving, that’s the key.  With thanksgiving comes surrender and acceptance. With surrender comes peace.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard our hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

The peace comes after the storm in my heart is stilled.  The storm is calmed when I lean on Jesus, who is asleep in the boat.  He has not left.  He is here.  He waits for me to surrender to His way, to His will no matter what the outcome. 

I must let go of what I perceive to be the safe way and walk over the stormy sea to Him. I need to walk into my trials and face them head on, keeping my eyes on Him, not on my trials and troubles. I must focus on Him at ALL times.

I do not see the outcome.  I do not know how He will bring it about.  But I do know His love for me is never-ending.  I am certain that how He works is best.  So I will rely on Him.  I will lean on Him.  I will have faith that let’s go.

“The Lord directs the stops of the godly.  He delights I EVERY detail of their lives.

Though they stumble they will NEVER fall for the Lord holds them by their hands.”

Ps. 37:23-24 NLT

 *From “Days of Heaven upon Earth” in Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman