Fortress
Will a strong foundation alone provide protection from a deluge? Not really. When driving rains pound, we want a roof over our heads. The foundation supports the structure, but without walls and roof, there is no building, no shelter or protection.
While living in “the barren place”, I often thought of the stalwart faith I was building as a massive construction project; I called it my “faith fortress.” The truths I mined from the Scriptures were the stones I used to build; faithful, trusting obedience in the God was the mortar. God was my divine building Companion, my Foreman and Architect. In this proverbial fortress, God dwelt with us, protected and provided for my boys and me.
The foundation for my “faith fortress” was the truth of Scripture. The roof and walls were built through faithful, trusting obedience. Faith, trust, and action worked together as powerful workmen in this massive endeavor. The more they worked, the stronger they grew. What I learned in small ways early in the journey made me stronger and more confident later, resulting in stronger faith and deeper acts of trust. In turn, my steps of action became increasingly bold and daring.
When I read Scripture and put it into practice, I was laying another layer of bricks and mortar to my fortress walls. Trusting obedience was my faith in action. Jesus said as much here:
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
James says it this way: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22
I found that trusting obedience is the byproduct of true faith. Faith prompted me toward the trusting leaps of obedience. Throughout Scripture, I saw many examples of nations and individuals whose faith prompted them to choose daring acts of trusting obedience.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.” Hebrews 11:8
I saw that faith results in trusting obedience; it’s the way it has worked since the beginning. Hebrews 11 cited a long list of faithful patriarchs who exhibited their faith by trusting, obedient actions.
The issue for me wasn’t whether I should follow Jesus’ commands. The problem was knowing precisely what He asked. While Scripture didn’t provide answers for specific decisions, it faithfully taught me what it looked like to live righteously, one step of trusting obedience at a time.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:13-22, the Apostle Paul outlined hallmarks of the believers’ life. Though not exhaustive, he provided character qualities, mindsets, and practices that naturally mark the lives of Christ-followers
According to the text, my life would be increasingly marked by patience, encouragement, and hands-on help for the weak and discouraged as I surrendered to Jesus in trusting faith.
Industry rather than indolence would be my hallmark.
Grace and forgiveness would mark my dealings with others, rather than retribution or revenge.
Negativity and worry would give way; gratitude and prayerfulness would take over.
My season in the barren place informs how I live to this day. The more closely I follow Him, the more I am open to the Holy Spirit’s life-changing work within me. The desert increased my love for His word; the more I live and breathe its truth, the more I run towards the light and away from the darkness.
In the barren place, it was not uncommon that I found myself safe, warm, and dry in a cold, driving rain. I was sheltered in the proverbial fortress of strong faith built around me by layers upon layers of trusting faith and obedience. Though the rain pounded and the wind thrashed, I found I was securely held. The Lord had empowered me to faithfully build upon His foundations of truth, and raise roof and walls through faithful, trusting obedience.
Because the Maker of the storm was my divine building Companion, Foreman, and Architect the entire time, the more closely I dwelt with Him, the safer I would be. It was the Lord of All Creation who lived with me as Friend with friend. Since He was my closest Friend, I had nothing to fear, and I had all I would ever need.