Faith serves as anchor for soul

patty scahill

In Hebrews 12:6, the Bible reads, “For without faith it is impossible to please God for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”

There are those who have experienced a personal relationship with the Lord. However, today, for whatever reason, the relationship is a thing of the past.

For others, there may not be knowledge of the Lord either by choice or otherwise.

There are some of us who have walked with the Lord for many years and may be weary because of a loss of hope. Confessing to be a Christian and experiencing a loss of hope? Yes, it does happen.

In Proverbs 13:12, Scripture reads, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” We are to be people who are hoping beyond hope, trusting and believing the Lord for great things.

As we look around, we see the break down of families, drug addiction, children in trouble, and great loss and a hopelessness among those we love. There is disarray in our homes and communities. This however, is not a “doom and gloom” message of despair for us, but rather a shake up and wake up realization that we must together rise up and believe our God at his word.

For with faith, the true faith, which is founded in our hearts, nurtured by the reading and study of the word of God, and birthed by the spirit of God, will produce a lasting result of change and good.

This faith, which is firmly rooted, will be the anchor for our souls in any time of testing. Our faith in God can take us through the disappointments of life and bring us to the other side of the situation in victory and peace. For with God, nothing shall be impossible! Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. For some, “seeing is believing,” but for us as followers of Jesus, believing is seeing,

To stand firm on the word of God and believe what it says will bring our prayers to pass. For each person that reached out in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, what they believed was granted to them.

As Jesus walked along in a throng of people, a woman who had a hemorrhage for many years reached out and touched the hem of his garment. Her thought was that if she touches him she would be healed. Jesus turned to her and said, “Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well.” She was instantly healed. Her faith caused her to reach out and touch. We can do the same.

It’s not possible for us to reach out and physically touch the Lord, but we can “reach” him by faith and through prayer. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is God, and he changes not, therefore, he hears and will answer our prayers. What he promises, he fulfills.

Jesus says in Mark 9:23, “All things are possible to him who believes.” What do you believe God for today? Is it a miracle in finances, or badly needed employment? Is your need for a touch in your body with physical healing? God still performs miracles today and he supplies and meets the needs of those who will simply pray and ask. Are you in need of divine intervention in the lives of your loved ones or in the area of personal relationships that are broken? My friend, there is nothing impossible for the Lord.

The road may be a long one, and the hurt awful, but the answer is a simple one.

If we will seek the Lord while he may be found, believe and hold on until the answer comes, we will see great and marvelous things happen before our very eyes. God can change circumstances, situations and people.

If you are discouraged today, be encouraged! God is speaking to you with a message of hope. Dare to believe, hope beyond hope. Trust with all that is in you and the Lord will honor your faith and answer your prayers.

Together, today, “let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”

A little faith can go a long way.

XPatty Scahill of Austintown, who is a conference speaker, author and hospice chaplain, attends Christian Life Church in Canfield.