June 25

The Receptivity Of Faith

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. — Heb 10:22 BSB

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, — Eph 3:17 BSB

Faith is our power to receive what God offers. The tragedy is that we are often slow to use the resources our Lord provides! He doesn’t force Himself on us. Even though He brings with Him riches like gold refined by fire, white garments to cover our shame, and eye salve to heal our blindness, He patiently waits. Though He knows our desperate need, He stands and knocks like a merchant offering precious goods, waiting for us to open the door and receive His gifts freely (Revelation 3:18-20; Isaiah 55:1-2).

Faith is how we draw on the spiritual to meet our earthly needs. It allows us to access the eternal for what we lack in our temporal journey. One day, when we look back on this life, we will likely realize that our deficiencies were permitted—even arranged—so we would turn to the fullness found in Jesus (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:19). We were allowed to wander in the heat so that we might find Him as our shade; we faced storms so that we would seek refuge in Him, sheltering in alcoves of safety that we would have otherwise missed.

Job’s moments of rebellion came when he felt God was distant, but everything changed when he realized God was suffering alongside him. Remember, there is no chasm separating you from God. He knows your sorrows. In all your afflictions, He is afflicted. We have a High Priest who is touched by our weaknesses. When Jesus saw the sisters of Lazarus weeping, He didn’t just offer comfort; He entered into their grief and wept with them.

Are you overwhelmed by burdens? Do you live among those who reject peace? Are you lonely? Consider Jesus. Don’t face your troubles alone—bring them to Him. Faith means reckoning on God. Let Christ dwell in your heart, and He will take responsibility for all your needs as you trust Him with everything.

Prayer

O Lord, I open my heart to You. Though my capacity is small, I pray that through love, faith, patience, and suffering, You will enlarge it so that it may be filled with all the fullness of God. Amen.