Scripture: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Devotion: I don’t know about you but patience has become my new middle name. I find myself vacillating between two places. One minute I’m full of faith and the next, faith has taken wings and flown away. It’s a balancing act at best. Somehow we have been taught that faith is readily available and we only need to push a button to activate. When our battery of faith runs low, we are charged with spiritual treason. I must say that’s a hard charge for most. Yes, Jesus died for our sins but human nature is still in full force.
Faith is a process. Scripture tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) So how do I take a need, turn into a seed, and manifest the promise. I believe that’s why scripture tells us to have faith the size of a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:20-21) Your faith must start with a seed. If I need healing I must plant the seed of hope believing God will manifest the desired outcome. If you know anything about farming or growing a garden there are all types of enemies to the seed. There are insects, worms, and all sorts of animals that love to pluck the seed out of the ground. If they are not successful with killing the seed the elements are on standby. Just like growing a plant is a process, so is faith.
Let’s use the zucchini flower for example. The zucchini when it’s ready to bloom creates a beautiful yellow flower that will turn into a fruit. If you have been around the garden a few times you know there are enemies to the zucchini. I laid my hand at growing zucchini once. Believe me at the time I was truly a novice. I planted the seed and anxiously awaited the arrival of the first blooms. As the plants began to bloom it displayed a cascade of yellow glory. I was filled with joy to see the beginning stages of my harvest. The next day I went to view their splendor and every bloom was gone. It appeared as if someone took scissors and cut them. A few days passed, more flowers bloomed and once again the invisible flower thief had struck. I was at an impasse. My gardening skills were not ready for this enemy.
The zucchini flower has at least sixteen enemies. I could envision a gang of animals gathering and devising a plan to devour. It was like I had grown the zucchini just for them. Just like the coveted zucchini flower, there is an enemy to our seeds of faith. Faith must be tenacious. It can be challenged but God has given instructions on how to annihilate the enemies of faith.
Reflection: Does it seem that your faith has been stolen leaving you hopeless and full of self-guilt? If so, be sure to read day 32 as we discuss methods we can use to conquer the many wiles of opposition to our promise.
Prayer: Lord when faith has seemed to be wiped out help us to not give up but instead to seek you for wisdom and strategy to overcome that which consumes.
Written by Petrina Milan
Eyes of an Overcomer 