Speak It To See It

Many times growing up I heard the challenge, “Oh yeah? Prove it!” Society has taught us not to believe anything until we see concrete evidence supporting that belief. However, our Lord says in Isaiah 55:7-9, his ways and thoughts are higher than our own. God wants us to believe first, then we will see it. Throughout the Bible I can find multiple examples of God challenging his people to trust him. Our Lord often asks his followers to take the first step, not yet seeing any evidence of his help. My friends and I have joked about this often. On one hand, I’m glad I don’t see what’s coming. On the other hand, I joke, “Could you at least give me a flashlight, Lord?” So if you find yourself in this same crossroads, between taking a step into the dark or waiting for the spiritual flashlight, may I offer a list that has helped me claim my victory even before I could see it?

Each person, I believe, is accountable to God for his or her own life and choices:  one will not be saved because of a holy friend or family member. Likewise, a person will not be judged or condemned because of the sin of a friend or family member. My Lord told me one morning,

I am holy, and you are to live holy whether you understand it or not. Not all things are for you to understand. You must obey me because you love me, so if you love me, live holy.

In his word, my heavenly Father has promised multiple times to reward those who obey him and live righteously. In order to do that, if you’re anything like me, I needed help. So God gave me verses to speak out and meditate on to claim my victory even before it comes to pass. I tried to just think about the verses in my head, but that didn’t seem to help. In prayer one morning my Father impressed upon me,

You must read these out loud. The enemy cannot read your thoughts like I can. You must speak out loud so he can hear you.

Therefore, in the next two posts I will share several verses. I call them victory verses. They comfort me. They inspire and motivate me. They challenge me. They encourage me. These verses were given to us for those very reasons. God never leaves us without help! I hope they benefit you as well!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12