DEVOTION – DAY 177

2 Corinthians 5:7 “Faith In God”

 

2 Cor.5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight.

 

Do you sometimes feel that God is absent in your life? Do you think God seems distant and you do not feel His love for you? When people say this, they are making the mistake of being guided by their feelings and emotions. But feelings and emotions are unreliable guides because a person’s feelings and emotions can change all the time. Simple things like the weather can affect the way we feel. A bright sunny day may make us feel positive but a dull gloomy day may make us feel depressed. Sometimes, feelings and emotions are affected by hormonal changes or mood swings. Our feelings and emotions can sometimes be affected by some medication we need to take. Even eating some kind of food may trigger some childhood memories and make us happy, or give us a warm feeling. So, it is not good to be guided by one’s feelings and emotions because they are unreliable.

 

2 Cor.5:7 reminds Christians they are to live by faith, and not by sight. Just because we do not see God, does not mean He is distant from us or that He does not love us. The Bible tells us in Col.1:16 “For in Him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” This means that even the air that we breath in, that we do not see, was made by God. Every beautiful sunset that we enjoy bears testimony to God being the creator. Every rainbow in the sky stands as witness to God. The Bible also tells us in 1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not live does not know God, because God is love.” God loved us so much He sent His only Son to die on the cross to redeem us from the penalty of judgment and death for our sins. All these truths in the Bible are truths we are to live by in faith because we know it is true in our hearts. So, the next time you feel that God does not love you, look outside the window at the sky, the trees and feel the wind because all nature bears testimony to the goodness and existence of God. Thank God that He has given you a family. Thank God that He has saved you from condemnation for your sins and that he has cleansed you with Christ’ shed blood on the cross. Thank God that He has given you the Bible to guide you. Thank God that He has given you good health. That is just a small sampling how much God loves you. That is just an example of how we are to live by faith and not by sight.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your abundant love for us. Please forgive us for the times we doubt your love for us and allow ourselves to be guided by our emotions and feelings. Help us to always live by faith in you and your abundant promises. In the great name of the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Have you ever felt that God was distant in your life and that you did not feel His love? Share.
  2. How has God answered your prayers, and been good to you in the past and how does this encourage you to trust Him in the future?
  3. What are some areas or things that God wants you to live by faith and not by sight? Will you do so?