The Good Fight of Faith

“Now faith (conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it; the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ; fidelity, faithfulness) is the substance (substructure, foundation; substantial quality; firmness, confidence; assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence (a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested; conviction) of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1

Faith—the conviction of the truth that God is Who He says He is according to His Word, is the foundation, the substructure, of all that we hope for. 

The Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

The foundation of our desire of good and the expectation of obtaining it, is believing that God is Who He says He is~~regardless of our circumstances or situations, regardless of what we see or do not see, God is faithful, righteous, merciful, just, holy, full of compassion, a sure foundation, shade from the heat, an all consuming fire, Savior, Lord...the Great I AM. 

As we build our hope squarely in Him~~not in our expectations, our wants, desires, or demands, but squarely in Him, we are building firmly upon the One Who is our Hope. 

"Therefor, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5

Believing that God is Who He says He is begins with a decision of the will (rooted in God’s grace) and a setting of one’s mind on truth. We make a choice that no matter our circumstances, no matter our situation, God is Who He says He is.

Faith is allowing Truth rather than emotions to dictate how we view life. At times, faith seems effortless:

I got a job~God is faithful!

My great Uncle Cecil gave me a car~God provides!

I am having a baby~God is good!

But what happens when I lose my job, I total my car, and I cannot have a baby? Is God still faithful? Is God still Provider? Is God still good?

This is, as they say, when “the rubber meets the road.” I find that I can continue to mentally ascend to and agree with the fact that God is still Who He says He is, it’s just getting those pesky emotions to fall in line with what I know to be Truth.

I believe the Apostle Paul understood the challenge of walking by faith; as finite, fallible human beings, we face disappointments, adversity, and devastation here on planet earth; those experiences tend to wreak havoc on our emotions and that is whey Paul admonished:

 “Fight (to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games; to contend with adversaries; metaph. to struggle, with difficulties and dangers; to endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something) the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim. 6:12

At times, we must fight (or contend) to remain in that place of faith~~believing that God is Who He says He is even when our circumstances appear to contradict the truth of Who God is. 

Whether it is our experiences from our past or present situation, whether it is the enemy of our soul assailing our minds with untruth, or an unmet expectation and deep disappointment...by God's grace we can put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6) and we can fight the good fight of faith.

And so it is with each of His children. He has you. No matter what you are walking through, He has you. Pour out your heart before Him, allow Him to hold you.

God has not forsaken you. He holds you in the palm of His hand. He is faithful. 

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Ps. 34:8

Regardless of our circumstances, He truly is good. May God’s grace abound to us that we may believe that God is Who He says He is.