Faith, foolishness or presumption?
Heb 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
I have always believed that it will be presumptuous and foolishness on my part to constantly want to take a step of faith when God has not instructed me to. The body of Christ is so engrossed with 'naming it and claiming it'. We believe that we can 'pursue overtake and recover' in all circumstances without giving a thought to God's opinion about the situation. (Even David had to inquire from God before he pursued, overtook and recovered) 1 Sam 30:8 8 and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." NIV.
Don't get me wrong, I believe there is a place where you have to contend for your God given inheritance. After all the Israelites having received God's promise for the promise land still had to contend for it. The Bible made it clear that the reason for the reinforcement of Jericho's wall was so that the Children of Israel could not penetrate.., I believe the word used is Tightly, other interpretations says 'securely', 'straitly'. It simply means a heavy reinforcement. I recognise that at times like this, particularly having received a clear directive from God, we equally need to understand and recognise the timing to advance and contend following the blue print given by God. But all these had to first do with God giving specific instructions. It makes my heart bleed when I hear the way the Church is prescribing the need to step out by faith like it's the new kind of drug that we all need to get hooked on, without giving due consideration to the words of God, and the lifestyle of the one being encouraged!
Josh 6:1-5 says: 6:1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." NIV
I recently had a little discussion with couple of people a while back, one of this people happens to be a Minister of God. Both were eagerly trying to convince me to step up my faith and trust God for a building even when the financial situation does not really add up. I believe in operating form the platform of faith.., I believe in exercising faith for my healing, provision, promotion.., etc using the platform of His words. Brother Paul stated I believe therefore have I spoken.., I also believe more in following in God's direction and leadership; in timing and season. God says.., 'I delight in your increase, and I will teach you down the path to go. It has always been my believe and the principle that I have lived by to always wait for God to speak the word before I can step out in faith. I am sure you will agree with me that the things that God wants us to do are 9 times out of 10 foolishness to us. This is when a step of faith is required. Many of the things we launch out to do and tagged 'Taking a step of Faith' are majority of the time foolishness. If you would take time out to look through the scriptures, you will notice that many instructions of God and Jesus' can be perceived as unorthodox.., but we have the likes of Moses, Abraham.., Joshua., Jehoshaphat.., Elijah.., Elisha.., the widows.., the disciples.., Paul.., launching out at God's words even when they knew the end thereof is uncertain.
Today, many believers' steps out by faith in foolishness and expect God to rescue our foolish and presumptuous move.., what's more we pass the buck of our foolishness to God. Think about this.., why do you always struggle with what God is saying and find it easier to run with what the flesh and the devil dictates to you. It is always the things of the spirit that we struggle and wrestle with.., but quickly gravitates towards the things of the flesh. So next time before you step out to take a step of faith, ask yourself 'is it of God', 'did God create or build the foundation of your focus or vision?' Or 'are you simply seeking to create one to make name for yourself?', 'Could it be that it is just simply convenient for you to do so?' Tease out what the spirit is saying.., Count the cost.., seek Gods counsel.., and understand the mind of Christ before you take such step.
Meditate on the scripture:
Luke 14:28-33 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. NKJV
*Please remember if God has not ordered for it.., don't expect Him to pay for it.*
I will recommend you read the book by Dr Frederick Price titled.., 'Faith, Foolishness, and presumption' It will bless you.
Till we meet again 'Be Envisioned'
Shalom
PT
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