Joshua 2:12-14
"Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them-and that you will save us from death." "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land."
Hebrews 11:1 says that "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." In other words, faith needs assurance, or else faith can easily become empty hope. Some believers do not understand the principle of exercising faith and thought that they have faith, but they couldn't see the results of their faith due to a lack of assurance. Some believers miss the work of the Lord because they do not know how to pray according to the promise given by the Lord. Rahab gave us an example of faith, where she begged the spies to swear to her by the Lord and give her family a concrete promise, so that her family can believe that they will be delivered when the Israelites attacked. Romans 10:17 says that "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." The basis of faith is the Word of God, therefore we need to draw strength and assurance from the Word of God, or else it will be very difficult for us to walk boldly.
When I was seeking the will of God on pursuing full time ministry, there was a time where my heart was in deep struggle. Back then I was working in Washington DC while serving in church, and I was happy about the situations. On one hand I don't have to worry about life necessities, on the other hand many commended me for loving the Lord. Therefore I had a deep struggle: isn't this good enough? Why should I serve full time? That remained until I read Exodus 8:25-27, where Pharaoh said to Moses: you all do not need to travel afar to serve, I am letting you to serve your God in Egypt, isn't it good to serve and work altogether? But Moses said to Pharaoh, no, the will of God is to have us leave Egypt and serve God in the wilderness. Suddenly this scripture grabbed my heart, as if the Lord was saying to me: your work is your Egypt, you want to serve while working, but my will is for you to leave. This verse gave me great faith and assurance, and I joined full time ministry courageously and never regret. Dear brothers and sisters, in the journey of faith you need to seek the Lord for assurance, so that you will not be fragile and fall.
Dear Lord, may Your spirit speaks to us. Open our hearts and our ears as we seek Your will on our ways, so that we may be assured of Your works and trust in You. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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