WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION. BY: REV. FR. AKAKPO MATTHEW.

WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT

(Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2:2-4, Psalm 95, 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14, Luke 17:5-10)

The readings of today entreats all Christians to be people of faith. The Christian journey is one of faith and we can only please God through the demonstration of a deeper faith in Him. A Christian has no choice than to grow in our faith. Without faith no one can please God. And without faith we cannot endure hard times in our lives as believers. The entire Christian life is based on faith in God our maker. We can only survive in this earthly pilgrimage if and only if we mature in our Christian faith.

In the first reading, God urges the people of Israel not to give up because of difficulties or situations that seem to shake their faith in God. These were people whose lives were shattered into pieces because of the Babylonian invasion. They lost their national identity, their personal and national assets were destroyed, some went into exile, and they were in a hopeless situation. But in the midst of this, God was encouraging His people never to give up in their lives, but to remain steadfast in faith. The fact that they were going through difficulties doesn’t mean that is the end of their life. God promised that He was going to turn things around at the appointed time. He expected His people not to lose faith in Him but continue to trust Him. Even though they were going through hard times but joy will come in the morning. The righteous shall truly live by faith. Our endurance shall bring victory to us. Sometimes this victory will take some time, but we need to wait for it. It will surely come; it will not delay as the Lord was telling the Israelites (Hab 2: 3b). it is just a matter of time for them to be delivered from their shameful situation. It truly came to pass when God delivered them from the hands of the Babylonians. He brought them back to their land.

In the gospel reading, Jesus is telling us that faith is a powerful force capable of anything. It helps us to understand life and brings us happiness. In the preceding text, Jesus was teaching the disciples about certain things concerning the Christian faith and one of them was the fact that they had to forgive always. So, it was based on this that the apostles were asking Him to increase their faith. It is not so easy to live out the Christian faith if not by God’s grace. Jesus indicated to them that with faith all things are possible. They can speak to trees to uproot and fall into the sea and it would be so. The mustard seed is a very small seed but when it grows to become a big tree, it serves so many purposes. But a faith like that seed is capable of doing greater things in our lives. Faith in Christ brings much transformation in our lives. It makes us men and women of authority. We would be able to experience greater things and live by our Christian calling.

We cannot talk about faith without talking about Abraham; our father of faith. His faith was tested by God and truly he passed the test. The fact that he was ready to sacrifice his only begotten son (covenantal son) as a burnt offering to God demonstrated the kind of faith he had in God. This was the child through whom the covenant God had with him was to be fulfilled. Just see the way Sarah suffered before getting this only child. But when God wanted him to be sacrificed, Abraham did not hesitate at all. This is truly a man of faith. He trusted God with all his being. He knew that God was capable of giving him another son to fulfil His promise to him. It sounded crazy but by faith he obeyed the Lord. Faith demands absolute trust in the Lord. The fact that God is capable of doing everything.

The book of Hebrews tells us that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Heb 1:1. There are things you and I have been praying for, we have not seen it but we believe that God will surely do it for us. We are able to live to see the reality of this through faith. Without faith we cannot wait on the Lord at His appointed time. We will easily give up and resort to other powers.

Our case is not different from the Israelites in the first reading. Some times we are tempted to think that God has forgotten of us. But we forget that He is a covenant- keeping God. He demands strong faith from us hence the need to wait on Him. Some times our problem has to do with having the patience to wait on the Lord. Some of us easily give up when we think the problems are too much for us to bear. We now forget that God is powerful than those places we resort to. It is a matter of time. God will do it for you at His own time. God doesn’t rush over things; He takes His time and do it perfectly for you. And this endures forever. Unlike the devil who rushes over things and end up giving us things which do not last.

Some of us also complain too much as if to say that we are the only people facing difficulties in life. If you are to know what someone is going through but he or she is not complaining, then you will know that your case is far better. You only need to endure and wait on the Lord. God can turn things around in your life if only you have a deeper faith in Him. People have experienced miracles upon miracles in their lives because of their faith in God. You can even testify this in your life. I know you have a lot of testimonies to share. Then He who was able to do all those things in your life, now you think he can’t come to your aid in the current situation? I don’t know what you are going through, but I know God can change your story. Nothing is too hard for Him to do.

Truly we need to walk by faith and not by sight. Because the righteous shall live by his faith. A trusted faith in God is capable of anything. All things are possible with faith in God. Don’t belittle yourself because you don’t know what God can do in your hopeless situation. Faith moves mountains okay. May God help us to grow and mature in our faith. AMEN. 

BE A MAN OF FAITH. ENDURE TO THE END.

HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY AND A HAPPY WEEK AHEAD.

REV. FR. MATTHEW AKAKPO​