Walking By Faith

Posted on 11/02/2013 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

A good example of Biblical faith is Moses — a man who learned to walk by faith.

In the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, we find a brief summary of some of the important things that Moses did, by faith:

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:
for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:
for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:24-27)

We learn here the eight actions that demonstrated the faith of Moses, the servant of Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for LORD God]: BuildingBlockBricks

1. He walked by faith [not by sight]
2. He was detached from the world system
3. He chose to suffer affliction
4. He identified with the people of God
5. He endured reproach
6. He was mindful of God’s rewards
7. He was not moved by the fear of man
8. He endured as seeing Him Who is invisible

These eight actions reveal Moses’ faith. They teach us that it is our actions that are the building blocks of our faith! Each action Moses took was a building block to build up and strengthen his faith. Each action revealed his trust and belief in God!

It is our actions that demonstrate our faith and our trust in Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].

One quality of faith that seems to be foundational is that Moses endured!

Moses endured as seeing Him Who is invisible.

Moses knew, by his spiritual understanding, that even though Yahuwah [the LORD] is invisible, Yahuwah is real, alive, and can be trusted!

Moses trusted Yahuwah and therefore, Moses was faithful to Yahuwah’s Words!

What was Moses trusting about Yahuwah?

Moses trusted in Yahuwah’s goodness, love, and mercy! Such things are invisible, and yet we know they are very real! Though Moses could not ‘see’ the invisible God, he held tightly to the Almighty, and the trust-worthiness of the WORD of God.

Moses’ faith grew stronger as he maintained his endurance and his faithful actions of obedience to Father’s Words. Through the trials of dealing with the difficult and stubborn people of Israel, through the uncertainties and the afflictions of going through the wilderness, Moses continued to endure, walking by faith in Yahuwah’s goodness and mercy!

In learning how to walk by faith with Yahuwah, it is important that we recognize, focus on, and look to the un-seen, invisible, eternal realm. The Bible tells us in (2Corinthains 4:17-18), that we are to look at, and focus on, the things which are NOT seen.

This is what walking by faith is all about. We keep our focus on the un-seen, eternal, realm, the outside-of-time, heavenly Kingdom of God!

With our spiritual eyes of understanding, we must begin to see, and trust in the invisible realm of Yahuwah’s love and goodness and the exceeding greatness of His power on our behalf, as revealed in His written Word (Ephesians 1:17-19).

Our Walk of Faith

Moses’ walk of obedience to Yahuwah Elohim’s Words and guidance demonstrated his faith!

Little by little, Moses was enabled to make the eight steps of faith, as seen in the above Hebrews 11:24-27 passage.

Though at times, he may not have understood Yahuwah’s plans; at times, the pathway before him looked dark and scary, yet Moses continued to have confidence in the invisible Yahuwah and His love and guidance. Moses faith-fully followed, believed, and obeyed Yahuwah’s directions.

Moses obeyed God’s WORD, thus obeyed God’s will!

For us today, our steps of obedience to the eternal heavenly Father, and His written Word, are likewise where our faith is demonstrated, one step at a time:

But without faith it is impossible to please Him [Yahuwah]… (Hebrews 11:6a)
Now faith is … the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
For we walk by faith, and not by sight. (2Corinthians 5:7)
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you art also called…. (1Timothy 6:12)
…Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29b)

As these five verses teach us, our faithful actions of obedience to our unseen, invisible heavenly Father is the evidence that we know He exists, and that we trust Him! Our faithful actions of obedience are the building blocks of our faith

Though Yahuwah is invisible, though we experience trials, difficulties, and failures — though we may not always understand, – and yet – we know in our ‘heart-of-heart’ that Yahuwah Elohim exists! He is with us, to strengthen us and guide us through stormy problems.

Because of Father’s lovingkindness and goodness, we earnestly desire to trust Him and obey Him [which is the evidence of our ‘love’ for Him]! We have so many reasons for confidently trusting Him! In so many of the ‘small’ things that happen in our life, Yahuwah watches over us to support us and protect us!

The loving nature and character of Yahuwah Elohim is clearly revealed in His written WORD as One who is just and holy, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. (see Deuteronomy 6:18 and 12:28; Exodus 34:6)
The loving nature and character of our Saviour, Yahushua Messiah [the Hebrew name for Jesus Christ], reveals the glory and image of our Father God, Yahuwah Elohim. (see 2Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 1:15)
Because Father LOVES us so abundantly, we therefore love Him! and want to please Him! (see 1John 4:19; 1John 3:22).

Our Choices/Decisions

By his actions and his words, Moses took the steps to obey Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God]. The more Moses obeyed, the more his faith was built up and edified! Moses listened carefully to Father’s Words, and spent time learning the desires of Father’s heart.

Moses trusted Yahuwah’s love for him, and for the children of Israel.

One step that was an essential factor to Moses’ endurance, and walk of faith, is — he forsook Egypt (Hebrews 11:27)! Forsaking Egypt is such an important subject that we discussed it at length in A Way That Seems Right: Avoiding the Strong Delusion. [If you have not read that article, I encourage you to read it as it gives us some practical steps to forsaking Egypt.]

Moses made decisions all along the way to the promise land. He made decisions, choices, and spoke words with his mouth, demonstrating his trust in Yahuwah. Moses determined to remain obedient to Yahuwah’s voice and Words. For us today, our choices/decisions [including the very small decisions] are so important!

It is our choices [and our words] that will result in actions that build up our faith, or . . . will result in actions that strengthen our fears.

The choices that Moses made, the actions/the steps he took, revealed Moses’ faith in Yahuwah! Moses’ endurance was steadfast because of his faithful obedience to Father’s Words. Moses was enabled to remain faithful because he kept his ‘spiritual eyes’ on the One who is merciful, compassionate, and invisible!

We too will endure and walk faith-FULLY when, by our actions, we choose to trust the invisible, living God and faithfully obey Father’s written WORDS — this is walking by faith, not by sight:

“Faith relates us to that which our senses cannot perceive. As long as we are slaves of our senses, we really cannot move in faith. Paul said this clearly in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” In other words, what we do, and the way in which we live as Christians, is based on faith – on what we believe, not on what we see or know [understand] from our senses. Our senses may tell us one thing, and our faith another – that is when conflict comes. That is why the writer of Hebrews says to make your confession and then to hold it fast (Hebrews 4:14)! Even if our senses tell us it is not so, if God’s Word says it is so, it is so!” – from Derek Prince – No Matter What Pressures Come.

For us to mature, we must keep our spiritual eyes on the eternal, un-seen realm and completely trust God’s love for us and His written Word! We must begin to behave and speak according to Yahuwah’s Word. This is walking by faith! This is living for God — by obeying His Word, trusting what He has said!

“It is important to evaluate correctly the evidence of our senses. God does not ask us to close our eyes and ears, and walk about as though the physical, material world around us did not exist. Faith is not mysticism! We do not question the reality of what our senses reveal, but we do question its finality!” – Derek Prince

The more we obey Father’s written Words, the more our faith is strengthened, and the more we learn to trust Him and endure. As our faith matures, we find our hearts are more willing to trust Father’s goodness, wisdom, and mercy. We will be eager to step out in faith and trust His ‘everlasting arms’ to hold us close to Him! (see Deuteronomy 33:27a)

Even though we can not see Him — even though at times, we fail, are disappointed, frightened, distressed — even though we may not fully understand, and though the path before us seems uncertain, even dangerous, we will continue to keep His Word! We will not give up our commitment to live for God!!

It may be risky! We will certainly run into opposition, but we will continue to seek Yahuwah’s strength, continue to seek His help, just as faithful Abraham did (see Hebrews 11:8)! We will persevere and maintain our commitment even unto death (Psalm 48:14)! This is how we learn to endure the trials of our faith!

The Rewards of Faith

Yahuwah has told us in Hebrews 11:6 – He rewards those who have faith — those who

1) believe Yahuwah exists, and
2) those who diligently seek Him.

Father promises: Those who seek Him, shall find Him!

Seeking Yahuwah demonstrates our faith in Him! And the reward of our faith is the blessing, the enrichment of His fullness in our life (see Proverbs 10:22). The Scriptures tell us much of the rewards and the blessings from Yahuwah:

…Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law [Torah] of Yahuwah [the LORD]. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. (Psalm 119:1-2)
…he that keeps the law [Torah], happy [blessed] is he. (Proverb 29:18b)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work [of obedience] shall be. (Revelation 22:12)
…I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1)
…and they that were ready went in WITH Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)
…they that are WITH Him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14b)

As Believers, our heart’s desire is that we would be found among the faith-FULL!

Let us not become weary, but let us keep our spiritual eyes on the eternal, invisible realm! Let us faith-fully obey the eternal, unchanging WORD of Yahuwah, trusting Father and His trust-worthy character and His abundant love for us!

Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God] is worthy of our faithful obedience! He is worthy for us to be walking by faith!

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