In the Word: The Gift of Faith

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying the book of Habakkuk together. In this book, we gain insight into how God is at work on our behalf even when we can’t always see it. Join us in the weeks ahead as we discover the God who is who carefully and lovingly crafted you, and lovingly created the gift of your child for which you now long. He has not carried you thus far simply to leave you on your own, but will be your Guide and your Strength.

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“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. ‘Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.'” Habakkuk 2:3-4

READ:

When bad things keep happening (or unbelievable horror, as is the case for Habakkuk), it is easy for us to question the goodness, purity, and power of God. How could a good God let such awful things happen? Why does He delay in setting things right? His prolonged patience—and our anxious, grieving, restless hearts—challenge our faith in His justice and goodness in our day-to-day situations.

In His perfect wisdom, God delayed the punishment of evil on the Chaldeans. But God assures Habakkuk that there is a day coming in which all will be made right. Though the Chaldeans were proud, trusting in themselves, living selfishly and sinfully, God would bring their own deeds back on them in His right timing.

And then God inserts a key instruction for Habakkuk— “But the righteous shall live by his faith.”  He was reminding Habakkuk that the gift of his faith is sure. It is not flimsy or faulty. It will not give way to the howling winds, rains, and waves of doubt and grief that threaten to undo it. The gift of faith is a strong confidence in the character of the Giver, who is Himself ‘a rock, a fortress, a deliverer, a rock of refuge, a shield, a stronghold’ (Psalm 18). The righteous live by faith because a strong faith is not dependent on the one who is filled with it, but on the One who does the filling.

In this season of waiting for God’s timing, God’s answer and encouragement to Habakkuk was that his faith will carry him. It will enable Habakkuk to live. This word in Hebrew means “to be sustained; live prosperously; be restored”. Faith in this God is full of hope, and that, beloved, is what enables the righteous to live.

Read these verses regarding faith and waiting:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.'” Isaiah 25:9

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:4

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

“Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame.” Psalm 25:3

Faith that sustains a soul is not merely a hope in circumstantial change. It is faith in a Righteous God, who will one day right all the wrongs done by sin. It is faith in a Strong God, who can rescue you from the darkness of grief. It is faith in a Redeeming God, who can use even the death of your little one(s) for good. It is faith in a God who sent His own precious Son to redeem us, who allowed evil to happen to His beloved Child so that many more could be made righteous.

Sweet mama, I pray that you will be filled with a deepening faith and a restored hope as you are waiting—waiting for the pain to lessen, waiting for your womb to be filled again, waiting for your home to have little ones in it, waiting for the day when you see your sweet Hope Baby (or babies) again. Waiting for the promise that one Day, all will be made right and “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)

This is our God. Let us wait for Him, with faith and hope.

JOURNAL:

Make a list of the things you are waiting for. Then, write a prayer to God, surrendering your plans, hopes, and dreams to Him, choosing to wait for Him with faith and hope.

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Erin Cushman is the founder of Hope Mommies. She is married to Blair and has four children: Gwendolyn, who has been with Jesus since October 20, 2010, Malacai, who is three, Gemma, born in June 2015, and Baby Cush. She loves photography, gardening, cooking, reading, playing with her children, and especially loves when all those things combine.

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