Why do the just live by faith?
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| English: By Rembrandt. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Today's verse contains a portion of Habakkuk 2:4, emphasizing that those who have been "twice born" can live using the same faith that God granted us so that we could believe (Ephesians 2:8). An acronym for "USE" can help focus our thoughts.
U--Use what you have: Moses had only a rod when God called him to deliver the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:2-6). We should use the talent and equipment already in our possession, just like the widow of Zarephath who gave her meager grain (1 Kings 17:10-16). Daniel used his secular position (Daniel 6:14-23) and Esther used her beauty and bravery (Esther 4:13-17) to accomplish His will.
S--Start doing it: Nothing happens unless we become involved. The priests of Israel participated in the miracle at Jordan when they obeyed and stepped in the river (Joshua 3:5-17). The widow did not reap the bounty until she followed Elisha's instructions and borrowed pots from her neighbors (2 Kings 4:1-7). After the miracle of the oil, she surely wished that she had not limited God's supply. The man who was born blind had to wash as instructed before he could see (John 9:1-7). And those at Lazarus' tomb had to open it before they could see him resurrected (John 11:39). God instructs, we obey, and He performs.
E--Expect it to happen: The centurion understood our Lord's authority when he asked Him to heal his servant (Matthew 8:5-13). The Syrophonecian woman insisted on being healed (Matthew 15:21-26), and the nobleman went home confident that his son had been saved (John 4:46-53).
Circumstances will vary, but God's "formula" does not.
