Numbers 14: 1-9 But my righteous one will live by faith
NOT BY SIGHT
Introduction Faith stands tall in symphony with Love and Hope in all matters concerning our affinity with God – through our Lord Jesus Christ. He who lacks faith lacks the understanding of what glues man to God. All that concerns our relationship with God stands tested on the altar of faith. What is faith? Faith is belief put into action. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1. It is what oils our belief in God.
Three words stand out – conviction, assurance, and hope. Conviction moves a man’s heart to obedience; assurance is the certainty of that conviction based on hope. As disciples, our convictions should not be based on what we see, but on our belief in God and our hope through Christ Jesus. It is difficult to measure the strength of our convictions until we are tested by the pangs of our circumstances – ill health, death of loved ones, lack of finances, failed or failing marriages, unruly children, extended family tensions, and several other issues.
Are you currently challenged by these or any of them? Is your faith in Christ shaking right now? Do you still pray regularly as you use to? Do you still evangelize to save the lost? Or have you been hit by a bout of life situations? If you are in this position, remember that, in every circumstance, God only expects you to look up to him; just obey. He will surely emerge to your rescue, especially when your back is against the wall. When everything appears to be against you, that is when your faith should surface. God will never fail. Just believe.
Don’t wait to see. How do I know? Because there is history to back my claim. Remember the heroes of faith – Noah, Abraham, Job, and many others. I believe you know about them and their stories. Remember, they are not just stories. They happened. Let us look at some of them again.
Heroes of Faith – Noah was mocked by the public when he was building the ark. However, he shunned mockery and stood against the tide of human discontent through his faith.
He obeyed by faith and built the ark as God commanded. He never knew where it would float – as there was no sea in sight Genesis 6:14. Abraham, by faith, set out to kill his only son, Isaac, with no plan for replacement in sight Genesis 22: 2-8. He obeyed by faith and not by sight.
All these instances portray the power of faith and not the fact of sight. Naturally, human beings work by sight – they believe what they see. But God says to walk by faith and not by sight. Imagine the case of the Israelites in Numbers 14:1-9.
They had experienced God’s miracles in the past, God had taken them through the wilderness up to the edge of the promised land, but with a little discomfort and challenge, they caved in to despair. They lost their perspective. They began to focus on themselves and what they think they could do. They asked to be taken back to Egypt. Despair! Is that where you are now?
Conclusion Have you lost your perspective as a disciple? If yes, this is the time to refocus on God. This is the time to pick your bible and study the word day and night again. This is the time for you to pray regularly, and to share your faith like never before. This is the time. Walk by faith and not by sight. Further reading Hebrews 11
Source: 40days Devotional Power Series Volume #11
Addtional Thought & Study
The subject of faith has been incontestable among believers because of the reality of whom GOD is..
To those who does not believe it is a falacy..
To walk by sight is diametrically opposite.
GOD in His creations has shown us that HE lives in all of the things he had created and confirmed it through JESUS his son.
What is the most extreme thing you would do to obey GOD like ABRAHAM?
Would you set aside blocks of time in your weekly schedule to help out at chuch? Would you risk your reputation at work to talk openly about your faith like PAUL?
Would you admit and get help for a secret obsession or addiction?
How are you willing to go?
Without FAITH the Hebrew writer says it is impossible to please GOD…
ALL the heroes of faith were commended by their faith.
If we must make a difference in our world friends, let’s hold on to GOD and remain Faithful and not revel in the visible or walk by sight.
Mr. Fredrick Adesubokan
Daily With God 
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