Living by a Trusting Faith

The following article was taken from Living in the Heavenly Realms under the chapter title “Waiting on the Lord in Childlike Faith” – Steve Bray

The childlike characteristics that every believer will need to possess are trust and dependent faith. Little children recognize their absolute need for help from someone else. They do not try to direct their own steps and achieve their own goals. Because they are not in control of their life, and they possess a natural trust and dependent faith, they willingly permit someone else to show them what they should do and to care for their needs. And because they have true faith, they are able to walk in this way without any worry or fear of the future.

In effect, it is this form of childlike faith that Jesus is instructing His disciples to enter into when He says, “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.” Have you truly been converted and become like a dependent and trusting little child?

Today is the day to search your heart and discover if you have true faith in God? This faith will grow if you will continue to let go of your old self-sufficient form of life wherever it is exposed. He never puts on anyone more than He has enabled them to bear.

We are now getting down to the real meaning of “absolute surrender.” Is there any wonder why so few are receiving the eternal Kingdom-life from God and living in the heavenly realms?

…Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3)

Those who choose to live as God’s children surrender the control center of their heart and permit their All-knowing Father to direct all their steps. Yes, it is a wisdom that sounds absurd to the self-directed people of this world. But it is the real meaning of “walking by faith rather than by sight.” As these little children express this trusting faith in God by consistently yielding to every movement of His Spirit, He not only cares for their needs, He also lifts them spiritually into the Kingdom-life of heaven.

My sheep {the little flock} hear My voice…and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life… (John 10:27-28)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose…to be conformed to the image of His Son… (Rom. 8:28-29)

Do you still find yourself becoming anxious, worried and upset? It can mean only one thing: You are still attempting to control your own life. Rather than dying to the self-directed ways of this world and entrusting yourself to God—the One who is able to work out all things for your eternal good, you are still attempting to be your own god. You will naturally have many things to be worried about as you consider everything that can go wrong in a self-originated form of life. It is also the reason why you still find yourself becoming upset when your will is crossed and your plans are disrupted. You have placed your trust in them and it is distressing when something interferes with your hope.

The only way to find the deep rest of soul that has been promised to every believer is by letting God be God. Nothing can prevent Him from working out His perfect will in the little children who entrust their lives to Him and learn to walk by His Spirit.

F. B. Meyer has pointed out how the Spirit-led child of faith “sees no more second causes; because its range of view is filled by the Great First Cause. It finds the will of God, either permitting or enacting, in every event, however trivial, that crosses its path. Everything becomes the vehicle through which God comes near and speaks…” And so there is never anything to be worried or upset about. It knows, as it lives by faith, that everything comes from the one true God who is perfect in wisdom, love and power.

We all need to examine ourselves to determine if we are truly walking by faith. We have to assume we are still directing our own steps if we keep finding ourselves becoming worried and upset about things. This self-originated form of life becomes the source of all inward conflict. And the only way to get beyond this carnality is to enter the eternal Sabbath-rest of God where everyone “ceases” from their own works. (Heb. 4:9-10) This is how we come to the place where we are empowered to truly obey God in everything, including being “anxious for nothing.”

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience… {And remember} all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:11, 13)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving {with a trusting faith in God}, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God {the peace that comes from His heavenly life}, which surpasses all understanding {and overcomes all anxiousness}, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

We can see how it is a sin to go on being anxious about anything. Not only does it reflect disobedience to God’s command, it reflects a lack of faith in Him. There is a better way to live. Those who are truly converted and become like trusting little children, will find themselves being lifted by the power of God into His heavenly kingdom where everyone remains filled to overflowing with “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” It is truly a place of everlasting peace.