Living by faith is like going on a great expedition. There are great discoveries to find as you embark on this never ending journey. Hebrews, chapter eleven, verse eight says, "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Most explorers venture into new territories, not knowing what they will encounter. The thrill of the unknown energizes their expectations and becomes that driving force that compels them to make that search.

     As you take your first step out into a life of faith, you will discover that same thrill. Paul told the Church of Rome, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:13). There is a joy that accompanies genuine heartfelt faith. The Book of Hebrews says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for...." (Heb 11:1). The word "substance" means confidence. There is a confidence, an unwavering assurance, generated by faith. It becomes the fuel that feeds your hopes and dreams of the certainty that God's Word will work when you simply believe.

     Here in the book of Romans, we find this compelling statement: "...the just shall live by faith" (Rom.1:17). Just like the blood that flows through your veins and brings life to every cell of your body so must faith flow through your spiritual being bringing life to all you experience in your relationship with God. One of the remarkable attributes to faith is that it is always searching for new plateaus, new discoveries, and new adventures in God. Faith is never meant to be idle. It is meant to move forward, to forge ahead; to persevere at taking new ground, living in the expectation of experiencing new levels of growth and understanding. This is why faith is visionary. It is always looking beyond the natural into the realm of the supernatural.

     You find this all throughout the Bible where great men and women of faith were moved by what they believed. They ventured out into the unknown because they saw the promises of God were attainable. They got up and acted out their faith. They moved when God said move. Their faith became the vehicle that thrust them in a specific direction.

     When you begin a life of faith there will be challenges that present themselves to you. These challenges can become a gateway or a roadblock. Many things will arise to threaten your expectation: fear, doubt, frustration, and especially the negativity of things around you. But a house that is founded upon a rock is never moved by the winds of adversity. The Psalmist David spoke of Joseph as a man who faced insurmountable odds, not knowing how the vision of God was going to come to pass in his life. Yet, he never wavered. In Psalm one hundred five it reads, "He (God) sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in iron. Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him" (Psalm 105:17-19). The idea behind these words, "he was laid in iron" means his soul had become clinched as a man's fist and would not change its stance. That is the position of faith when put to the test. Paul said, "And having done all to stand; stand therefore...." (Eph. 6:13-14).

     There is a bold determination that accompanies faith. In Matthew fifteen, we find a story where a woman of Canaan came to Jesus begging him to come and heal her daughter, because she had become grievously vexed with a devil.   His first response was, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). However, this did not detour her faith one bit. She dropped to her knees worshipping him, saying, "Lord, help me" (verse 25). Again, Jesus showed no sign of his willingness to answer her cry. His response was, "It is not meat to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs" (verse 26).   This woman's faith was so unshakable that she refused to be denied. She answered, "Truth, Lord! Yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table" (verse 27). Then Jesus answered and said, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt" (verse 28).

     What an amazing story of how her faith prevailed regardless of the obstacles she faced. This is a great example of what it takes to persevere. There was nothing anymore final than Jesus himself turning her away. Nevertheless, in the midst of certain defeat, she rose up with a bulldog determination to take hold of what she knew could be, if only she would stay the course in believing.  It was her faith that kept her moving forward, not relenting or being discouraged over inevitable failure. There are things in life that you will face that will try to get you to give up and quit. If you know what God has said belongs to you, then let faith arise in your heart like a clinched fist, holding to the promises of God.