Christian Living

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“But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail” - Luke 22:32

Every now and then, we all face seasons of proving, pruning and chastisement. Proving as God allows us to face trials that test the strength and depth of our faithfulness, loyalty and devotion to Him (Abraham in Genesis 22 and Job); pruning as God allows us to undergo unpleasant situations that purges and purifies us for greater effectiveness in kingdom work and chastisement as God disciplines us for acts of disobedience (David in 2 Samuel 24).

But whatever the reasons are for our trials – pruning, proving, and chastisement - all often find us at that place where things are not as they should be. Sometimes, we face such fierce persecutions it would seem as if we stand alone with the world on the other side. Sometimes we experience such loneliness it would seem that God has left us for a season. Sometimes it would seem the hedge of God around us is broken and we seem to have no defence against the onslaught of attacks from the enemy. Sometimes we face seasons when it would seem that God no longer heeds our voice and is unresponsive to our cry for help and deliverance and sometimes it is that long-term trial that questions our sonship and cast doubts on our claim to being the apple of God’s eyes.

In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that satan has asked for him, that he might sift him. Sift refers to an act done to separate and isolate that which is most important or useful.

Jesus prays for Peter, not that he would not be sifted (I do believe that his sifting was an act of both proving and pruning him for the work ahead) but that his faith will not fail.

I believe that in all of our seasons of unavoidable and needful proving, pruning or chastisement, Jesus still prays that same prayer for us all – that our faith will not fail.

Why is our faith so essential?

Because it is our faith in God, in His unfailing love for us, in the purity and goodness of His thoughts and purpose for us, in the awesomeness of His ability and power to keep and deliver us that sustains and helps us to stand under that adversity. It is our faith in Him that enables us to see His will through a vision often blurred by the pain of the trial, it is our unwavering confidence in His goodness that helps gird up the loins of our mind from thoughts of God’s abandonment and rejection. It is our faith that will attract the release of God’s power and create an atmosphere for the miracle of our triumph.

In Habakkuk 2:4, God declares that ‘The just will live by faith’. Faith keeps us alive and fruitful in Christ. The lack of it will kill the life and hope of Christ in the believer. We cannot afford to be in that place where our loss of faith limits God (as was in the days of Jesus as recorded in Mark 6:1-6) from performing the mighty acts necessary for our restoration. We must contend earnestly for our faith.

The testimony of all who overcame as recorded in Hebrews 11 is enough proof that as long as we hold on to God in faith, we will overcome. Hebrews 11 states that:

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death,

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household,

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac… concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead…

24 By faith Moses, … refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt;

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

32 … to tell of Gideon … who through faith subdued kingdoms,
worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

The Hall of Faith is the hall of victory.

The enemy knows that if he can destroy your faith in God, you get stuck in a circle of failure and despair. Faith is not only the way of escape from adversity it is also the pathway to victory.

I pray for you with all my heart that your faith will not fail. If you have lost it, I pray that God will restore and re-establish your faith. If your faith is weak, I pray that He will strengthen and increase it. But in all things I pray that the gift of faith that will deliver all of God’s good plans and purpose for your life will forever be your portion in Jesus name.

Shalom!

Chi Onwuchekwa

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