Faith Released – Blessings Received

Matthew 18:3
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Yesterday a young boy in the produce aisle politely asked his mom for graham crackers. His mom agreed to pick them up because he’d made a good snack choice. She told him they had twenty aisles to go through before they would find them so he would need to be patient. The boy was delighted and energized at his mom’s approval and began to count the isles as they shopped. He continually thanked his mom for the crackers and recited a long list of people he would share them with. After hearing his thankful anticipation for six aisles, his mom made a beeline for the twentieth aisle. I saw them ten minutes later. The boy was quiet and grinning ear to ear, holding his treasure box of graham crackers. I don’t know if his mom wore down from the constant confession of the boy’s faith, or if she was overjoyed at the thankful anticipation, but the reality was she chose to bless her son sooner than he expected. The boy believed, he spoke with a believing, grateful heart, and he counted the aisle numbers down in happy anticipation as he moved forward, and so he was blessed.

This young boy illustrated what we must do to release our faith to receive our answers or blessings that God promises us in His word. Our loving Father walks along side us everywhere, just waiting for the right heart and faith to be present to bless us. 

Sadly, more often I see children and adults throwing fits, whining, and complaining in hopes to wear down or manipulate the person in authority. The result is usually no, not now, not ever, or a spanking. In the Old Testament, the Israelites wandered around in the desert for forty years because of their disobedience and lack of belief. They were determined to do it their way and only a very few were ever chosen to receive the blessing of the Promised Land.  

Our personal relationship with Christ is a process. He asks us to trust Him and not the people, circumstances, situations, or feelings that encase our being. I would like to challenge you to confess from the depths of a sincere heart the following prayer every morning and evening for thirty days and share with me what has happened.

God, thank you for your love and sacrifice that has blessed me with the mercy, grace, and love I need for this day. Thank you for your protection, wisdom, guidance, and strength. I believe you are working in my life even if I can’t see it. I surrender my will to you and ask you to guard your servant and help me release my faith in thought, words, and deeds and share the blessing you have given me.

The Redwood Forest

My husband and I sauntered through the thick moist soul-penetrating air to approach the majestic Redwood Forest. The sight and lack of any sound took my breath away. It was as if nature was in silent reverence of these splendid giants. My entire being was at peace, unlike any place I have ever been.

We learned these trees can grow 300 feet high. They have the smallest cone or seed and needles of all the pines. The trees are 500-700 years old on the average, with the oldest tree recorded being 2,000 years old! I can’t comprehend this with what I know in life. These giants are in an environment that has over 100 inches of rain per year, not counting the constant mist that visits their needles daily. They cannot handle extreme temperatures, especially freezing, but their largest threat is humans. 

As I stood next to the giant root, I realized my miniature size. I touched the bark of the tree to find a soft, hairy surface similar to my own hair. Unlike my skin, the bark can be 10-12 inches deep to protect the tree. This particular tree was hollow in the middle. I sat in the center cradle of this giant Redwood in awe. I received a glimpse of being in the palm of God’s gigantic hand. How enormous He must be and how minute I am. What a contrast, what an unbelievable reality that He made me, He chose me, He knows me, and He still loves little me.

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

These magnificent Redwood Trees are a testament of God’s creation, balance and existence. Yet they weren’t created in God’s image, nor were they given His son Jesus to atone for their sins. Those great gifts were reserved for us. I don’t know about you, but I know I need over 100 inches of God’s living water, His word, per year and that I need a consistent steady mist of His love and grace daily to withstand the physical, spiritual, and mental elements that bombard us on this earth. God was, and still is, and is to come.

Where do you see the grandeur of God?