TWO-FISTED FAITH

Faith is tough sometimes, isn’t it?

And yet, we need to have tough faith.

Faith that stands against the enemy’s attacks.

Faith that stands strong…

But are you like me? Sometimes I struggle with faith – struggle with what it requires.

You know that little red-and-white bullseye logo for a certain company? (Target…of course)

Paint one of those right on my back.

I talked about these targets last week – how the enemy seeks us out when we step out for the Lord. It’s like the fire of the Holy Spirit draws him in – like a heat-seeking missile.

He zeroes in – waiting for the perfect, vulnerable moment to strike.

And strike he does…over and over…

I’m being bombarded.

Suffice it to say – the attacks are coming on various fronts – financial, emotional, physical – my friends and family have had more things happen in the last month than has happened in the last year…

You know what it’s like – it’s happening to all of you, too.

Sometimes it makes me feel like I just want to run and hide. It was easier flying "under" Satan’s radar.

It is so easy to doubt God’s presence and His plan, when our eyes are so short-sighted, our minds so limited by human understanding.

Sometimes we have doubts and fears – and they seem overwhelming.

After all, we’re still walking through "the valley of the shadow of death."

And it is in that valley that the devil whispers one of his worst taunts…

"Is God really good?"

Sometimes, the evidence seems to point otherwise.

I think this is the believer’s greatest battle – to believe, no matter what.

My pastor calls it "two-fisted faith."

He uses this Scripture to explain what he means:

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power…" (Daniel 3:16-17)

That’s one fist…

"BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, we want to make it clear to you…that we will NEVER serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."

(Daniel 3:18)

That would be the second fist – I’d say it’s the one that delivers the knock-out punch.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God to deliver them. BUT, they were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences.

This is crucial – we should be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes on our behalf or not.

OUCH – that’s such a tough one for me.

But I am asking the Lord to increase my faith muscles. To strengthen my shaky legs, and restore my spirit. To enable me to stand strong, in spite of the attacks. To give me a sense of His presence and peace.

We are never alone.

There will always be that fourth person in the fire…standing alongside…keeping the fires of adversity from burning us up.

God is good.

He has a Master Plan that is unfolding, though it may be unknown to us. We must ground ourselves in the faithful promises of God, not in our feelings. We have to allow our doubts and fears to lead us closer to Him.

So, with that target on my back, I’m asking the Lord to help me raise two little fists in faith…

Will you join me in the fire?

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