LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT
- Key Verse
- "So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body. . ." (Ecclesiastes 11:10a)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
In this passage, God tells us there really is no point in worrying about what's to come. Everything that has happened and anything that will happen is planned by God. . . so if it's from God, why should we worry?
Reflections
Throughout life we (or at least I know I do) constantly find ourselves wondering what's going to happen or what's this certain person going to think of us? Where does that kind of thinking really get us? Nowhere, right? If we constantly find ourselves worrying, then how can we truly be placing our faith in God?There is a song called "One Way" by the band Hillsong United. In the bridge, one of the lines is, "We live by faith and not by sight, we're living all for you." This is how we should live our lives as Christians, not focusing on and worrying about the things of this world, but being so focused on God that things of this world don't matter.
Sight is our primary sense -- without it we are completely lost. Similarly, without our faith in God we are completely lost in life. We cannot be sure of anything. Through faith in God, however, we can see things in a whole new light.
The song's words, "We're living all for you," also applies to today's Scripture. Ecclesiastes 11:6 says, "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." This means that in everything we do, we should do it to the best of our ability. We can live for God even through things that seem insignificant. An everyday example for me is football. If I play my hardest, be a team player, and show good sportsmanship toward other players, not only am I bringing glory to God by using the gifts He's given me to the best of my ability, but I am also standing out from others. Through my conduct, others can tell that I am different through God.
Discussion Questions
1. What is something you constantly find yourself worrying about?
2. How can you "live by faith, not by sight"? (2 Corinthians 5:7)3. How can you bring glory to God through your everyday life?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
Mark Sutton
September 7, 2010 06:17 AM
Ricky, Yes our focus is to be in the Lord. There is wisdom in diligently seeking him. We are called to please God. 2 Corinthians 5:9 Have a great day.
Diana
September 7, 2010 07:11 AM
Ricky, How very wise are you to learn and live this as a teen when there are intense pressures to conform to worldly ways. You are setting a strong foundation for your adult life. May God Bless You with continued strength in Him. Diana
Cindy S Brown
September 7, 2010 08:44 AM
Let's see---when I was in 8th grade, I was worrying about how to keep my hair from being frizzy. When YOU are in 8th grade, you are writing a spiritual devotion for thousands to read and learn from! I think you're ahead!! This was a great devotional and shows a great amount of maturity and insight. The road to hold to your convictions will get harder as you move through the next decade -but hold fast to what you know now and you will be so blessed!! Thanks for inspiring me today!