“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:1, 6

Faith is a big deal to God, which means it should be a big deal to us. I don’t know about you, but I always pray that I have faith that pleases the Lord, the kind of faith that moves Him. I just read the below devotion for February the 21st and it just moved me and I wanted to share it. I pray that it inspires you to keep having faith in who God is and His promises. This is from the devotional book Streams in the Desert; this devotional is so good, if you can get your hands on it, please do. It has encouraged me more times than I can count. 

The devotion starts below: 

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7)

Have you prayed and prayed, and waited and waited, and still you see no evidence of an answer? Are you tired of seeing no movement? Are you at the point of giving up? Then perhaps you have not waited in the right way, which removes you from the right place- the place where the Lord can meet you.

“Wait patiently” (Rom. 8:25). Patience eliminates worry. The Lord said He would come, and His promise is equal to His presence. Patience eliminates weeping. Why feel sad and discouraged? He knows your needs better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to receive more glory through it. Patience eliminates self-works. “The work of God is this: to believe” (John 6:29), and once you believe, you may know all is well. Patience eliminates want. Perhaps your desire to receive what you want is stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled (my emphasis).

Patience eliminates all weakness. Instead of thinking of waiting as being wasted time, realize that God is preparing His resources and strengthening you as well. Patience eliminates all wobbling. “He touched me and raised me to my feet” (Dan. 8:18). God’s foundations are steady, and when we have His patience within, we are steady while we wait (my emphasis). Patience yields worship. Sometimes the best part of praising waiting is experiencing “great endurance and patience…joyfully” (Col. 1:11). While you wait, “let [all these aspects of] patience have her perfect” (James 1:4 KJV), and you will be greatly enriched. C.H.P

Hold steady when the fires burn,
When inner lessons come to learn,
And from this path there seems no turn-
“Let patience have her perfect work.”
L.S.P

Father God, You will that we patiently wait for You. I pray that each person reading this is encouraged to wait on You, Lord. God, be glorified in our hearts and You forever reign in our hearts. It’s the name of Jesus I pray and I believe, Amen.