Introduction
When we first began to walk by faith, we were in a terrible financial condition. It would have been very easy at the time to give up and quit. But as the laws of prosperity became reality to us, the light at the end of the tunnel became brighter and brighter. Still, our debts were not taken care of immediately. It took some time for us to pay all our bills. During this period, we put the force of patience to work and refused to give up. In less than one year, we were free from debt and headed on a path to victory.
You may be facing a similar financial situation, like we were. Or, you may be facing an illness or some other devastating circumstance. That’s why it’s so good that you are learning through this bible study teachings. Faith is the key to overcoming any challenge in life. It’s a powerful force in the Christian life, but right alongside it, and working with it, is patience.
What exactly does patience have to do with faith? Patience undergirds and sustains faith until the result is manifest. When you learn to release the power of patience, you can receive anything from God that agrees with His WORD. This is where most people have failed when attempting to walk by faith. But it doesn’t have to be so. Patience is the difference between trying and doing. Some people go fishing and others catch fish. Some attempt to walk by faith; others succeed. Patience makes the difference.
How will patience make a difference to your faith?
Again, I will give you an opportunity to list your lessons learnt from a parable Jesus told in Luke 18 that speaks about faith and patience:
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”” (Luke 18:1-8)
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When Trouble Comes
In the face of adversity when it looks like doom is inevitable, Satan puts strong pressure on you to faint and give up. At that moment, you want to succumb to the pressure and let go of God’s WORD. Don’t do it! You cannot succumb to Satan’s pressure without flinging away your confidence in God’s WORD. To act on Satan’s pressure, you have to lay down the promises found in the Bible. James 4:7 says “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” There is no middle ground. When you submit to God, you submit to His Word and your submission to God and His Word will create the force needed to resist the devil and his pressures, and he will flee from you. When it comes to standing on The WORD, you are either on or off. Hence, the scripture in Hebrews:
“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12)
Patience has the courage to refuse what Satan tries to prove true in the natural world. Your confession should be: “I will not succumb to pressure. I am moved by nothing except The WORD of God.”
When Satan’s pressure says that God’s WORD is not working, patience rejects it as a lie. Patience has no fear. Patience knows that God’s WORD has never failed. Patience knows that when faith is exercised to receive God’s WORD, success is inevitable.
If you are to please God, you must operate in faith. Faith not only believes that God exists but that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Why is it that God takes no pleasure in you if you draw back in fear? Because the instant you draw back in fear, you quit operating in faith. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
We are believers, not doubters. Faith, undergirded by the power of patience, defends and protects the soul from Satan’s attack. Faith is the assurance of the things we believe we have received. Faith in God’s WORD is our proof that we have received, even though we cannot yet see it with our natural eye. That kind of faith comes only through God’s grace and the power of patience. Remain steadfast, regardless of what situation you are facing. Don’t give up but continue to put The WORD first place in every situation.
Remember, concerning Abraham… “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” (Hebrews 6:15)
Questions
How do faith and patience work together?
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How does patience work when pressure from the enemy challenges God’s promises?
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In what situations can you proactively exercise your patience this coming week?
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What other lessons have you taken from this study?
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