Faith to Believe the Unseen

Scriptures:  II Corinthians 4:18 - While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.


A well known acronym for faith is “Forsaking All I Trust Him’.  When we realized that we were/are sinners (Romans 3:23), had a repentive heart about our sin, and believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sin (John 3:16, I Corinthians 15:3-4), and invited  Him into our lives --  asking Him to forgive us of our sin, we had a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ by faith.  I’m so glad that the Lord is transforming our lives!  Day by day we are faced with many obstacles and occasions that we have to make choices by faith in Jesus – our Lord and Savior.  There are times when the choices I make are easy, but there are times when it’s a struggle in this walk of faith.

I recently saw a movie on Xfinity’s Positive TV called “Faith Like Potatoes”!  I loved that the focus of this movie was walking by faith.  It made me think about  situations in my life, and how I have to choose to  walk by faith and not by sight.    Angus Buchan and his family traveled to South Africa so that they could have a better life.  He had  invited Jesus Christ into his life, and he was an evangelist.  Angus had a burning desire to be used by God to share the gospel wherever he went.  His wife, who was also a Christian, encouraged him to become a farmer – mainly growing potatoes.  With many crops that are planted, they grow above ground.  Therefore, you can see how much or if they are growing.  Here’s the thing about potatoes, farmers plant potatoes/vines -- covering them up with soil.  In the movie, there was a drought, but as the potatoes incubated under the ground, Angus kept praying for rain so that the potatoes would grow.  Angus was probably contemplating whether he should  dig up the soil to see if the potatoes were growing or if they had dried up or died. He said, by faith, that he would wait for the harvest. Philippians 4:6-7 -  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Isaiah 40:29-31 says He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Angus didn’t want to disturb the roots of the potatoes, because that could cause the roots to possibly die. Isn’t this similar to how we respond to scenarios in our lives? We seek the Lord about things, and instead of continually taking our burdens/cares to the Lord and leaving it there, we are so emotional and we worry about it, or keep changing our mind about what we know the Lord wants us to do. We have to have faith (believing without seeing) and simply trust that the Lord is working out things in our lives for His glory.  We have to let go (stop worrying) and let God carry out His plans for our lives.  God cares about the intricate details of our lives, and He wants us to trust Him completely.  Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine owning understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.  When the harvest time came in the movie, there was a crop of a lot of very large potatoes! There were many times that Angus and his wife had to make crucial decisions by faith -- seeking the Lord, praying, and have discernment.

Leave it there.  
Leave it there.  
Take your burdens to the Lord, and leave it there.  
If you trust and never doubt,
He will surely bring you out.  
Take your burdens to the Lord, and leave it there!

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Help me to leave things in your hands, and trust that You will work them out.  Help me to  always depend on You and obey You.  Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.  Help me to keep my focus on You and Your Word.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)