Put Your Faith to Work! by Rileigh King

I knew I was marrying a “faith man.” I knew I would be living a lifestyle of faith by joining my life with David’s. I never knew how soon we would need to use our faith! David had been searching for a house on and off for years. The hunt for a home became more serious after our engagement. Now we really needed a house! David was growing so discouraged looking at house after house, making phone call after phone call, running numbers, talking things over, and coming up short. For some reason, though I empathized with him, I had an inward assurance I could not explain. I didn’t know how it was going to work out. I just knew that it would. One evening we spent a few hours at our favorite local coffee shop scrolling through realtor sites on my iPad. There was nothing. Where was God’s provision for us? Where was His leading? David was so upset. I struggled to find ways to encourage him, but nothing helped. We needed a miracle. I wrote in my journal the next morning, Lord, we need a house. The weight of it is getting to David. I don’t know what to do. All I can do is pray. We’d both been praying. But I knew we needed a word from God to back up the peace I felt. I didn’t know to label that feeling I had as “faith.” Hebrews 11:1 makes it clear! Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses] (AMPC). David needed to hear me speak that word – to declare victory over the situation. Our Pastor says, “If you have a word from God, every other word is insignificant.” That word from God trumps every online house search that turns up nothing. Every delayed payment from a client. Every shrinking bank account. Everything. Faith isn’t just something to have and hold onto, and it’s not just a feeling. It’s something to use! A muscle needs to flex! After writing out my thoughts and concerns to the Lord, I got quiet. I asked Him to give me His Word on the matter. He gave me references. He gave me confidence. He gave me a battle plan. He undergirded my belief that He was for us, that He had a plan, and that it was good! Here’s the word-for-word plan He gave me for thankfulness, trust, what to do in the natural, and Scriptures to speak, mediate on, and pray. Maybe this will cause your faith to rise in your situation! Maybe this will jumpstart your prayer time. But I hope above all else, it leads you to the Word. The answers are in the Book. We have a relationship with a good God. He is near and He is faithful. Don’t settle for the word I got. Use it to get your own! God is a personal God, mindful of each of our situations. Can you trust that He has something to speak to you today? Stay thankful. Rehearse His wonders! Ps. 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing! – Let’s seriously make a list of all He’s done with us, and for us, and through us so far. David and I sat down with my planner and his phone, looking over the past year, rehearsing all the wonderful things the Lord had done. Sometimes it’s hard to do. But we can always find something to thank God for. When we articulate our gratitude, it makes a way for Him to change our perspective! Trust, trust, trust. Stay in faith. Stay in peace. Isaiah 26:3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. – Remember Abraham, who hoped without seeing anything! And Sarah, who did too! It takes both of us. We were there to lift one another from doubt and discouragement, to cast down thoughts contrary to the Word, to speak that Word repeatedly to one another. We committed, leaned, and hoped in the Lord. And He kept us in perfect and constant peace until the promise was fulfilled (more about that later!) Prepare everything else – get ready! Proverbs 24:27, Put first things first. Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home. – While we waited, we took care of the other things. For us this was a few credit cleanup items, a doctor’s visit, and getting rid of junk we didn’t want to move into the new house. Even simple things, like getting myself a new email since my last name was changing! The Lord specifically gave me this verse: Psalm 107:7 He lead them forth by the straight and right way, that they might go to a city where they could establish their homes. I drew a little home in my journal and wrote this verse out next to it. I came back to this promise often! Ask yourself this: What is the GOOD the Lord is trying to work for us in this situation? Romans 8:28 – We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. – This (house situation) is ONE of the things He’s working for our good. What is the good we can learn today? Where can we see His goodness? If you can’t see it on your own, pray, Lord, show me the goodness! I told David I thought this was our first test of faith together – and that’s an exciting opportunity! Read and Meditate Hebrews 11 Confession: I will be controlled and sustained by faith, even when there’s no visible sign (Heb. 11:13). The one thing I know about God is He is faithful (Just do a quick search of the word “faithful” in the Bible. It will bless you!). I have a heritage of faith through the Word (Ex. 6:8; Psalm 16:6). God honors faith (Gen. 15:6). He is our Provider, but also our Father – a good Father, a loving Father, who looks out for His kids (Luke 12:32, among others). I will not fear the will of God, even if it doesn’t look like how I thought it would right now. I will stand on the Word of God and receive every promise. I trust also in His timing and His plan (Psalm 37:5). He does not fail – neither does His Word (Isa. 55:11). He delights in our faith, our marriage, and our prosperity (Psalm 35:27). This is not the time to shrink back in fear, discouragement, or out of faith (Heb. 10:39). He is on our side! He loves us! Look what He has done! He does not stop working. He calls things that are not as though they were, and opens doors no man can shut (Rev. 3:8). My heart is fixed (Psalm 108:1 O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast, in the confidence of faith); I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory [all the faculties and powers of one created in Your image]!)