~ OBSTACLES TO WALKING BY FAITH
Beloved, we are continuing our devotional series on WALKING BY FAITH with a look at the obstacles or things that could prevent us from WALKING BY FAITH.
I submit to you that walking by faith usually involves trials that test and refine our trust in God, to deepen our reliance on Him.
Usually, everything around us points to the opposite of what we desire, thereby living the door open for the enemy of our souls to come with lies into our minds.
Such attacks on our minds and our person could lead to distractions that causes our faith to waiver.
𝙐𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 – God’s plans can be unclear, challenging our trust in Him.
For example in Genesis 12:1 AMP tells us about God’s command to Abraham. Even though he did not know where God wanted him to go, he obeyed God.
”Now [in Haran] the Lord had said to Abram, “Go away from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you”
𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 – God’s timing often differs from ours, requiring patience. Sarah had been waiting for the son that Hod promised her until she became old.
Genesis 21:1-3 AMP tells us about God’s timing for Sarah.
”The Lord graciously remembered and visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for her as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham named his son Isaac (laughter), the son to whom Sarah gave birth.”
𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. – Faith often attracts trials. It when we are holding on to faith that trials of all kinds raise their ugly heads.
As a matter of fact, 2 Timothy 3:12 AMP warns us saying that;
”Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith].”
Also, Jesus said in John 16:33 AMP;
”I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”
𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 – Challenges around us may bring fear to the point that we feel fearful and weak but God calls us to courage.
We read in Matthew 14:30-31 AMP about Peter, as he walk on water.
”But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Also, God commanded in Joshua 1:9 AMP
”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙚– The enemy seeks to weaken our faith at any opportuned time. We must fight the good fight of faith.
Ephesians 6:16 AMP encourages us:
”Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙫𝙨. 𝙂𝙤𝙙’𝙨 𝙒𝙖𝙮𝙨 – Faith often defies human logic.
Sometimes, holding on to our faith does not make any human sense. But that is when we must hold to our faith and exercise it.
This was the case about Naaman in 2 Kings 5:10-14 AMP
”Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.”
But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Indeed! I thought ‘He would at least come out to [see] me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place [of leprosy] and heal the leper.’
Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus [in Aram], better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?”
So he turned and went away in a rage.
Then his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he has said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’
So he went down and plunged himself into the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said; and his flesh was restored like that of a little child and he was clean.”
Also Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP tells us that God’s thoughts are far from human thoughts.
”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 – Faith must persevere through hardships.
We must lean on encouring Word of God so we can endure and persevere through hardships and adversities.
James 1:3-4 AMP admonish us to endure;
”Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].
And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
Also Job 19:25 AMP encourages;
”For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth.”
Despite these challenges, God remains faithful, strengthening, sustaining us and rewarding those who walk by faith.
Once again, Hebrews 11:6 AMP emphasizes the importance of our faith if we are to walk with God.
”But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”
NOW LET US PRAY
Great and Mighty God, Father we thank You for yet another day of life.
We thank You for Your mercy and Your grace towards us and we praise You for giving us the faith that we need in order to walk with You, Lord.
Thank You for abiding faith in You when we are faced with trials and difficulties.
Father, strengthen our faith when we are confronted with uncertainty and doubts.
Give us faith that endures in the face of persecution and delays.
Holy Spirit, we lean on You to sustain us everything around us seems unreasonable from a human standpoint, help us to focus on God’s perspective, so we can choose to walk by faith and not by sight.
Thank You God for who You are for us when we are faced with challenges.
In Jesus Christ’s most precious name I have prayed. Amen 
Have a blessed day 
