Faith in the Written Word and Hardship
Your faith that is focused on God's written Word will stand in the midst of hardship in your life. Our heavenly government and its Constitutional promises guarantee the security of its citizens and establish building codes for the community of the Kingdom which are designed for the storms of life. So many Kingdom citizens assume that if they are going through difficult times, it means they do not have enough faith. That is a religious concept and religious thinking. That isn't so! Kingdom faith does not remove us from hardship. It is all about obeying God's Constitution to the letter (meaning His Word). It preserves and protects us through hardship. Once again, the key is where we place our faith, not how much faith we may have. On one occasion the King of Heaven addressed this very issue of faith in the building code of His Kingdom. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
The concept of challenges, tests, trials and storms in the life of Kingdom citizens on planet earth is not one that should be foreign or unexpected, but rather anticipated with confidence and faith in His Word. Kingdom faith embraces storms and proves its worth in challenges and trials. Has anyone ever asked you, "If the Lord God is so good, why is this happening to you?" King Jesus answers that question right here: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Let me paraphrase: "Don't sweat the small stuff!"
Obey His Word and leave all the challenges that come, to Him and His angels. Using the name of the King gives one power and authority when you are living and believing in His Word. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:19, 20 Because they obeyed His Word, their names were registered as citizens of Heaven.
People say "Trust the process." Well, the Lord God has a process in the Kingdom, and His process always has a purpose. It is always working for our good, to become who He created us to be and accomplish what He has purposed for us to accomplish! And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. Romans 8:27-30 NLT Knowing this makes the trials seem smaller and of less significance. It will pass, if we remain in Him!
Perhaps you have questioned why you are facing difficult challenges or you wondered if the King of the Kingdom knows your circumstances. Keep in mind, our relationship with the Lord God has nothing to do with what happens to us as it relates to trials, tests, challenges and disappointments. Remember what King David stated in God's Constitution. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:3
Even though we are citizens of His Kingdom, He doesn't spare us from the hardships of this life just because we are His children. In the midst of our tests and challenges we are to share and spread His glory (which is His culture). The King allows trials for the purpose of testing, strengthening and purifying our faith in His Word. Learning to persevere through hardship molds and matures our character. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8
It is the trials and hardships that build our character and prepare us for His divine purpose and assignments! It builds wisdom, knowledge and strength!
If you find this hard to accept, consider the experience of Daniel. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:3-4
Imagine if you were in Daniel's place and just had been told that because of your faithfulness to the Lord God's laws and principles, you were going to be thrown into a den full of hungry lions and that you were the main course! Maybe Daniel prayed for deliverance and expected an angel to come. But no angel showed up. Perhaps Daniel then thought that he would be translated supernaturally to safety, vanishing before the very eyes of King Darius and his court. But no vanishing took place. As they led Daniel in chains toward the lion's den, maybe he thought that the Lord God would catch him halfway down the corridor and loosen his chains and set him free. But that didn't happen. By the time he heard the growling of the lions, he started to wonder, "where is that God I have been putting all of my trust in?"! But Daniel soon realized the King that he worshiped and served had sent His angels to protect him. So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel.
The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
Daniel 6:16-23
In today's world, we need that kind of faith in the written Word of the King, nothing less!
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
The concept of challenges, tests, trials and storms in the life of Kingdom citizens on planet earth is not one that should be foreign or unexpected, but rather anticipated with confidence and faith in His Word. Kingdom faith embraces storms and proves its worth in challenges and trials. Has anyone ever asked you, "If the Lord God is so good, why is this happening to you?" King Jesus answers that question right here: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Let me paraphrase: "Don't sweat the small stuff!"
Obey His Word and leave all the challenges that come, to Him and His angels. Using the name of the King gives one power and authority when you are living and believing in His Word. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:19, 20 Because they obeyed His Word, their names were registered as citizens of Heaven.
People say "Trust the process." Well, the Lord God has a process in the Kingdom, and His process always has a purpose. It is always working for our good, to become who He created us to be and accomplish what He has purposed for us to accomplish! And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. Romans 8:27-30 NLT Knowing this makes the trials seem smaller and of less significance. It will pass, if we remain in Him!
Perhaps you have questioned why you are facing difficult challenges or you wondered if the King of the Kingdom knows your circumstances. Keep in mind, our relationship with the Lord God has nothing to do with what happens to us as it relates to trials, tests, challenges and disappointments. Remember what King David stated in God's Constitution. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:3
Even though we are citizens of His Kingdom, He doesn't spare us from the hardships of this life just because we are His children. In the midst of our tests and challenges we are to share and spread His glory (which is His culture). The King allows trials for the purpose of testing, strengthening and purifying our faith in His Word. Learning to persevere through hardship molds and matures our character. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8
It is the trials and hardships that build our character and prepare us for His divine purpose and assignments! It builds wisdom, knowledge and strength!
If you find this hard to accept, consider the experience of Daniel. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:3-4
Imagine if you were in Daniel's place and just had been told that because of your faithfulness to the Lord God's laws and principles, you were going to be thrown into a den full of hungry lions and that you were the main course! Maybe Daniel prayed for deliverance and expected an angel to come. But no angel showed up. Perhaps Daniel then thought that he would be translated supernaturally to safety, vanishing before the very eyes of King Darius and his court. But no vanishing took place. As they led Daniel in chains toward the lion's den, maybe he thought that the Lord God would catch him halfway down the corridor and loosen his chains and set him free. But that didn't happen. By the time he heard the growling of the lions, he started to wonder, "where is that God I have been putting all of my trust in?"! But Daniel soon realized the King that he worshiped and served had sent His angels to protect him. So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel.
The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
Daniel 6:16-23
In today's world, we need that kind of faith in the written Word of the King, nothing less!
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
