The Bible tells us that we must obey God rather than men because we serve a sovereign Lord.  His sovereignty means that He is in complete control.  However, when we walk through seasons of waiting for His promises to come to fruition, whether or not we believe this statement is truly tested.  Sometimes, life can feel like we are in a holding pattern just waiting for our next season or chapter in life to begin; these seasons may feel like eternities and our last mountain-top experience feels like a lifetime away.  These are the times that our true faith is tested.  In Hebrews 11:6 we read, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”  Scripture tells us that everyone has been given a measure of faith and that our faith grows as we hear the Word of God.  This is one of the many reasons that we must stay grounded, continually read God’s Word, and regularly attend a church where truth is taught.  If we don’t read His word and hear His truth taught, how can we expect to be Christ-like? 

Knowing God’s Word and believing God’s Word are two totally different things and this is where the true measure of our faith can be found.  If we don’t know, believe, and obey God’s Word, we may miss out on the blessings He wants us to have.  In Acts 1:4, we hear some of Jesus’ last words as he speaks to His disciples, “Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”  History would not be the same had the disciples not believed and obeyed Jesus’ command and they would not have seen with their own eyes the prophecy in Joel 2:28 come to fruition.  “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”  This was a major God-moment in history and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was and still is critical in fulfilling the Great Commission.  His Spirit enables us to witness to people who are nothing like us and it empowers us to speak boldly in the face of opposition and persecution.

God loves us so much that He sent His only son, a man with no sin to die for all of humanity’s sins.  The question we must ask ourselves is do we really believe what we really believe is really real.  Our answer reveals our faith, but what we must realize is that human nature has not changed in the centuries since Jesus walked among us.  Anyone can easily fall into the trap of doubt or thinking that God’s blessings and promises don’t apply to them.  What we must always remember is that God has a plan and a purpose for all of our lives; even in our seasons of doubts, wildernesses, valleys, deserts, and times of uncertainty, He is at work and He is ever-present in our time of need.  All we must do is keep the faith and continually keep our eyes on God; He will work out all the details in His perfect time!