I think we all want to have a faith that doesn’t waiver in the face of hardship or discouragement. But on a random Tuesday not so long ago, I sat on my bed, curled up in a swirl of blankets, staring blankly at my open Bible, and felt anything but unshakeable. My mind was racing, and my heart was weary. It had been one of those weeks when nothing had gone right, and I felt small, defeated, and a little insecure.
My eyes hovered over the pages as I skimmed Jeremiah 29:11, hoping for a bit of encouragement.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I must have read that verse a hundred times before, and even though the greater context is God speaking to Israel after a time of exile, it still reminds me of His love and perfect plan that we get to be a part of as His children. This time, though, I kept reading.
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…”
It was exactly what I needed to hear. A promise that God will be found by any willing heart that seeks Him.
The words were the same as they had always been, but in light of the week I’d had, they settled in my heart differently. It was like God was reaching out to me in that very moment through these ancient words, to breathe new life into my tender heart.
That’s the beauty of God’s Word. It is steadfast and unchanging, but also powerful, dynamic, and transformative. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “…the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
I love that! God’s Word is neither stagnant nor indifferent. It can reach the deepest places in our hearts and minds and transform us. It meets us where we are, but does not leave us there. God’s Word is powerful in every circumstance, in every corner of the world, and in every generation. Whatever you are facing today, wherever you are in your faith journey, God has something to say to you in His Word. And if you want to cultivate a faith that stands firm, there’s no place better to start.
Throughout the Bible, God reveals His character, His heart, and His thoughts, especially as we look at the life of Jesus. God sent His son, Jesus, to reveal Himself to us so that we can know Him better. That means that when we see Jesus’ compassion, love, kindness, justice, and patience, we are witnessing the character and heart of God himself. Through this lens, we begin to experience God’s love for us, and God’s ultimate story of redemption and restoration comes alive.
As we find our place in the story of God’s people, we discover that the Bible is also a practical tool for every facet of life. It guides us, helps us grow, and equips us thoroughly for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit reminds us what we have learned in God’s Word and helps us discern what is true, right, and good in a world full of opinions, pressures, and temptations that all compete for our allegiance.
A friend was recently sharing how workers at the U.S. Mint can quickly spot a counterfeit bill. They don’t memorize all the different kinds of fake money. They spend all their time studying the real thing. As they learn everything they can about the true bill, the phony becomes immediately obvious. The same is true of the Word of God. As we study and learn the truth of God’s Word, the counterfeit gods that the world offers are easily spotted. We can measure what we hear, see, and experience against God’s character because we know it firsthand through Scripture.
When we know God in this way, we can’t help but be transformed. We no longer place our faith in our own ability, resourcefulness, strength, or talent. Instead, our faith is grounded in the reality that our God never fails and never grows weary of loving us and caring for us. Our faith can be unshakeable because He is unshakeable.
Life will be messy and chaotic at times, and difficult seasons will still come, but we can stand firm knowing He has been faithful for generations and He will be faithful now, no matter what we are facing today.
Whether you are in the thick of it now or just needing a gentle reminder of truth, I pray that you will seek God with all of your heart and dive into His Word with eager anticipation. He sees you and cares for you and has planned ahead for anything that may come your way. Just like when God met me that day, sitting alone in a pile of fluffy blankets, He is waiting to meet you too, right where you are. As you read your Bible and see God’s character and faithfulness unfold, I pray that you will know Him better, experience His love, and be anchored securely by faith in our Unshakeable God.
