Persistent Faith

The words and promises of the LORD are pure words, Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will listen and answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God." (Zechariah 13:9)

For You have tested us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. (Psalm 66:10)

Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.

For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it [I refrain and do not completely destroy you]; For how can My Name be defiled and profaned [as it would if My chosen people were completely destroyed]? And I will not give My glory to another [by permitting the worshipers of idols to triumph over you]. (Isaiah 48:10-11) I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]— From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) Our help doesn't just come from the hills; but from God Most High, He is our very provider and sustainer a present help in any time of need. God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) The Lord GOD is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. (Habakkuk 3:19) The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there are any who understand (act wisely), Who [truly] seek after God, [longing for His wisdom and guidance]. (Psalm 14:2) True faith comes from God Himself, not any earthly things, people or places. He is God all by Himself, He is all knowing and all seeing; the only God that sits high and looks low.

The LORD looks [down] from heaven;

He sees all the sons of man;

From His dwelling place He looks closely

Upon all the inhabitants of the earth--

He who fashions the hearts of them all,

Who considers and understands all that they do. (Psalm 33:13-15)

God has looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God [who requires Him, who longs for Him as essential to life]. (Psalm 53:2) I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. (John 10:10) This life more abundantly is found in Jesus.

Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life." (John 14:6) Life in Jesus is essential to live this life on earth. Without Jesus we are like a ship without a sail, pointless. We were all created to live in Him, through Him, by Him and for Him. This is everyone's purpose here on earth. We are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. (Romans 8:37)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. (1 John 5:4) The one who habitually keeps His commandments [obeying His word and following His precepts, abides and] remains in Him, and He in him. By this we know and have the proof that He [really] abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us [as a gift]. (1 John 3:24)

By this we know [with confident assurance] that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given to us His [Holy] Spirit. (1 John 4:13) However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God].

If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit].

For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:9-10,12,14) Without the leading and indwelling of God the Holy Spirit we cannot focus on the things that really matters to God the most. With the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit we are able to live our life's holy, pleasing and acceptable to God. Dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. (Romans 12:1)