Why doesn’t God just destroy our enemies before they come up against us? Why doesn’t He fill our cupboards before they become bare? Why won’t God just put more money in the bank account so that I can see my way through before I pay the tithes? Why does God allow calamities in our lives? Am I doing the best I can to serve Him?

After a whopping victory over the Egyptians, why did God lead the Israelites into the wilderness? Why did Yahshua HaMashiach (a.k.a., Jesus Christ the Messiah) send His disciples to the sea—twice—knowing they were going to run into a storm? Why, after sealing His commitment to God, the Father, through baptism, was Yahshua immediately led by the Ruach HaKodesh (a.k.a., the Holy Spirit) into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil? Why, at His weakest point, after 40 days of fasting from food and water, was the Devil allowed to show up to try and tempt Yahshua to “turn stones into bread?”

The answer to all of those questions has to do with our faith, the necessity of the trial of our faith, and the mortal battle that is waged within every man, woman, and child between faith and unbelief. Through faith—faith in the only Begotten Son of the Most High God—we can be saved. Through unbelief, we are lost. According to 1 John 5:4-5, “…this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Yahshua is the Son of God?” Revelations 21:8 gives us a list of those who will die eternally—who die the second death. At the top of the list are the “fearful and unbelieving”—not murderers, whoremongers, nor even witches and warlocks. But, the fearful and unbelieving TOP THE LIST of the lost.

Without faith (stated another way, “trust and obedience”), it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11: 6). For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth (in other words trusts and obeys Him), shall not perish but have everlasting life. Without faith in Yahshua HaMashiach, we cannot be saved.

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So, how do we get faith? “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith, therefore, comes from hearing the Word of God. To hear the Word of God, you’ve got to either read it for yourself—or listen to someone else (who knows AND follows the Word) tell you about it. When you hear the Word of God and receive it, like a seed planted in soil, it will grow, and you will grow spiritually. When the seed of the Word is allowed to grow in you, you are born again “spiritually.” Just as we grow physically to look like our biological parents because we inherit their genes, likewise, as we grow spiritually, we begin to look like and act like the Word because we inherit His character. Now the fleshly parts of us will die, but the Word that is in us endures forever. If it is in you, even though the physical body will die when the Most High calls for His children, the dead in Christ (Yahshua the Messiah) will rise first! Why? Because the Word that is in you responds to that call. In essence, it is “God responding to God”—and you and I will live again (eternally). Thus, when the Word of God is in us, It cannot and will not die. And, when It is sent out, It will accomplish that which It was sent to do—which is to save us.

For now, however, we are to desire the sincere milk of the Word like a baby desires his mother’s milk. Think about it. A newborn baby wants milk about every three to four hours around the clock! Some are so greedy, they want milk every two hours—especially a breast-fed baby. And, if you don’t give it to them, there is no peace in the house. Like loving parents, we provide them with the nourishment they need so that they can grow. God is no less loving (1 Peter 1:23-2:2). He wants to give us more of Him—His Word. He will not force-feed us, however. If you want more, He’ll give you more. When Yahshua was here on earth, He taught the people mostly in parables. But, for His disciples, who walked closely with Him, He expounded on those parables, and they understood more (Mark 4:34).

“So, then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith itself is a gift from God. And, God has dealt to every man a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). But, to some extent, we determine the measure we receive by the amount of time we spend hearing His Word. So, if you need more faith, start by spending more time in His Word. I know a lot of you pray—and your prayers are earnest. But prayer is one-way communication. If you want to open up the lines of communication between you and God, then let God TALK TO YOU! Open up His Word and read it! Avail yourself in some kind of way to His Word so that you can hear.

God’s blessings to you,

Marcia

 

 

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