Have Faith!

Ever notice whenever you step onto the path God has for you – or even point in its direction – how discouragement tends to hit? Yep, it’s a great weapon of the enemy, isn’t it? Keeps you stuck right where you are, afraid to take another step and not even sure if you want to.

Here’s the thing though, we have a weapon to fight against it. We just need to pick it up. It’s our faith.

See, we won’t always catch a glimpse of what God is doing, but that doesn’t mean He’s not at work. Let’s take one last look at Hannah. Remember when Eli told her God was going to grant her request? What did she do? She went away radiant, glowing, her face cast up towards Heaven. And she stayed that way…but was her answer immediate? No, look again at what happened. She praised God, went home and waited as GOD began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked. (I Sam.1:19)

Now Hannah didn’t have eyes that reached Heaven, but she had a faith that reached her Lord. She believed, even in the absence of a physical answer, that God was at work. Remember, we do not see her face downcast or hear her weep again in the chapter. Even though she went home. Even though Peninnah was surely there to torment her, “Oh, poor Hannah, still not pregnant?” Even though it took time for God to open her womb, Hannah believed. She had faith. The kind of faith we hear about in Hebrews 11. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Oh! To have that faith. It takes down discouragement every time! Believe. Take your step of faith. Yes, one day you’ll be able to look back and see how God ordered all of your steps – that’s hindsight. But, beloved, faith is having foresight. It’s believing that the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD (Psalm 37:23)…then walking along in them even when we can’t see what He’s doing.

So do not be discouraged! Cling to your faith. God is working, gently laying each stone along your path. Place your eyes upon Him, trust He's there, and take your step of faith.