FAITH CAPSULE: Faltering has its root in the spirit of doubt, and doubt is a demonstration of lack of faith

1 Kings 18:20-24

The journey of life is a race. In the race of life, any one that drops out falters. The apostle Paul talked about race, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Paul shared the secret of his running by pointing out all that it takes to run a qualified race: There must be a knowing that one is in a race and not in a game; one is running with understanding that there is prize at stake; one is running with certainty and knowing that running is a fight that demands discipline. In Paul’s secret it is clear that, running a race demands following God. If you are following the Lord, you cannot be one that that falters. The formal definition of “falter” is: “to be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence.” You claim to have given your life to the Lord, you go everywhere there is fellowship, but when storms come, you are the first to falter. To falter is to lack faith and is also evidence of not following Him fully. Before Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah asked the people, 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ but the people answered him not a word.” They could not answer because they knew they had not been faithful in following their God. It is important for you to answer the question, “How long will you falter?” Faltering has its root in the spirit of doubt, and doubt is a demonstration of lack of faith. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” It is clear that you cannot be faltering and be following Him at the same time. Also, it is not possible to serve two masters at the same time.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from whatever is causing you to be unsteady in purpose or action, courage and confidence. Set your mind and all of your heart in following the Lord. Follow Him fully and He will see you through in all that concerns you.