“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For,

“In just a little while,

   he who is coming will come

   and will not delay.”

And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.

   And I take no pleasure

   in the one who shrinks back” (Hebrews 10:36-38 NIV).

‍

Do you like to take tests? Most would answer no. But there is a test that you might consider beneficial. In fact, it might very well save your life. The test of which I'm speaking is a way to test your relationship with God.

‍

Allow me to first address those who don't have a relationship with God. For you, I encourage to start a relationship right this second. This relationship is based on faith, but faith is not baseless. You are basing your faith on the Word of God, the Bible, written over 1,500 years by 40-some authors. Not only that, but the Bible is also filled with prophecy that has been fulfilled. In conservative numbers, Jesus filled 300-some prophecies during his life, death, and resurrection. The Bible has more prophecies predicting droughts, destruction of cities, earthquakes, floods, and more, prophecies that are being proved true as scientists and archaeologists discover more and more. There are other biblical foundations on which to build your faith, but that's not the emphasis of this devo. So please, please take heed and ask Jesus to be your Savior. There's no time to waste. I urge you, for your own sake, please accept Jesus as your Savior. Then go to church and talk with a pastor. The life you save is your own.

‍

If you already have a relationship with God, thank you for your patience. Let's get back to that test.

‍

I'd be willing to bet that your life is a series of peaks and valleys. Times of peace, times of turmoil; times of plenty, times of want; times of ease, times of toil; times of health, times of sickness; times of confidence, and times of doubt. Does your life of peaks and valleys parallel your relationship with God? In other words, does your faith peak during the peaks and waiver during the valleys? I think most everyone would answer yes. And if you're one of them, the writer of Hebrews is speaking directly to you.

‍

The author of Hebrews (as well as the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11) is quoting Habakkuk 2:3-4: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”

‍

Living by faith is such an important aspect of true faith, that Habakkuk is quoted three times in the Bible. True faith is strong in all circumstances. The writer of Hebrews paints a beautiful picture of what true faith looks like in using the Greek “hypostellō” for “who shrinks back.” Hypostellō means to draw back or take in.

‍

Imagine a sailor on a sailing ship. There is a strong wind filling the sails and progress is swift. Yet, for reasons known only to the sailor, doubt, fear, depression, discouragement, persecution, hardship, etc., the sailor takes in sail and progress is stilled.

‍

Is your faith like that of the sailor? Do you truly believe that God is filling your sails? Always.  

That, my brothers and sisters, is the test. Do you believe the unwavering love, power, strength, and authority of our Lord is with you during the peaks and valleys of your life?

‍

Your God will never leave you (Deut. 31:6). In Him, we can trust in all our circumstances. Paul says in Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

‍

No matter where you are in your life today, the highest of peaks, the lowest of valleys, or somewhere in between, please go back and read today's verses. Meditate on each word and ask the Holy Spirit to let those words sink in, deeply.

‍

You have a living Savior who is coming soon! Let this joyous truth fill your sails with faith. Always.

‍

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

‍

Amen, come Lord Jesus.