Building Unskakable Faith

We’re nearing the end of 2024, facing many challenges around the world and in our personal lives. From wars to cultural shifts and financial instability, the world around us can look and feel pretty frightening. Many of these issues can weaken or shake our faith in God. 

What do you fear? What’s going on right now in your world? Is your faith facing a crisis? Do you feel God is putting you to the test and your faith is lacking? You may not even be sure about the answers to these questions. Maybe you long for that unshakable faith seen in Abraham, Noah, Ruth, Esther, Joseph, and others.

The Lord doesn’t promise believers that they’ll have an easy life or a life free of challenges. However, through the Bible, God speaks to us and offers guidance on how to develop an unshakable faith. Today, we’ll use Hebrews 12 and Habakkuk 3:17-19 to see how we are to develop unshakable faith. These Scriptures encourage us to keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting Him in the most turbulent times. 

Faith in Times of Loss

Habakkuk is one of the so-called minor prophets. The book was probably written after the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC but before the Babylonian captivity in 586 BC. This period covers the final years of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel. It was written by Habakkuk, who may have been a prophet in the Temple. 

In this book, the prophet records his conversations with God. At the time, he was struggling to believe that God is good despite so much evil in the world. Israel faced many disasters, with a Babylonian invasion looming on the horizon. 

Habakkuk was asking God why He wasn't working in the world. He wanted God to show His power and save His people. Even so, Habakkuk also offers praise to God in the end. This is where we come to Habakkuk 3:17-19 (though it's highly recommended you read the entire book). 

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV 

The prophet declares his faith in the Lord even in the midst of loss. He describes the loss of everything and says that even so, he will rejoice in the Lord. We see that Habakkuk’s faith was not dependent on material blessings or events going as he wanted. He didn’t even need visible signs of God’s provision to rejoice in God. Instead, Habakkuk worships God and praises Him for who He is. 

We also see that while God may be silent, He’s always in charge and has a plan to fight evil. Our Lord is always working out justice in His time. These lines from Habakkuk encourage us to take heart and wait on God. We must expect that He is working all things to our good (Romans 8:28). 

The Call to Persevere

Last week's blog post discussed living by faith, while today's post discusses unshakable faith. In Hebrews 12, we examine the information shared in Hebrews 11 about Bible characters who had great faith. The ultimate example of unshakable faith is Jesus, who maintained His faith and trust in God no matter what trials He faced on earth. 

Like Christ, we also experience faith trials in our lives. These may include personal trials, persecution for our faith, and more. We may also encounter difficulties because of falling away from the Lord. In that case, God may discipline us, much like a loving parent corrects their misbehaving child. Even so, Hebrews 12 says we must keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). 

Jesus, like us, had to face suffering and tribulation in the world. Yet, He kept His faith in God. He is our example of persevering through challenges and keeping our faith in tact. 

Another great example of someone struggling with faith is Gideon (Judges 6-8). He received a call from the Lord to lead Israel against the Midianites. This was at a time when Israel was in desperate straits. They had to live in caves and dugouts in the mountains while their crops were raided and destroyed by the Midianites and others. Gideon knew someone needed to save the nation but didn't believe God was calling him for this purpose. 

Gideon was fearful and doubted his ability to lead the people. He even questioned God and asked Him for signs confirming this calling. Can you imagine questioning our Sovereign God in this way? Gideon did and lived to tell the tale! 

In the end, God responded to each of Gideon’s requests, letting him know that the Lord was with him. Judges 6:12 NKJV says, “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!’”

Gideon shows us that even though we may have doubts and fears, God can work through them if we trust Him. 

A Firm Foundation Built on Christ

The scriptures in Hebrews 12 and Habakkuk show us that unshakable faith is not built on our own strength or understanding. Instead, it’s based on God’s unchanging nature and promises. Hebrews 12 calls us to keep our eyes on Christ, while Habakkuk calls us to rejoice in the Lord no matter our circumstances. 

These Scriptures also show us that it's OK to be human. In this life, we will have to deal with doubts and fears. We may feel a lack of faith or trust. Even so, we will be saved when we keep our eyes on Jesus. He will give us His hand as He did to Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:28-31. With our eyes on Christ, we can withstand the storms of life. 

Building Unshakable Faith

1. Stay rooted in God’s Word: we can build a faith foundation through studying and reading the Bible. Mediate on the Word as often as you can to find the strength, guidance, and sustenance God provides.

2. Keep your eyes on Jesus: He is our example in all things, and we're encouraged to keep our eyes fixed on Him. He understands what it's like to be human and face hard challenges. He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). 

3. Embrace trials as opportunities: trials can be opportunities for growth, though we'd rather do without them and stay comfortable where we are. However, the Bible tells us that trials produce perseverance. As it says in Romans 5:3-5 NKJV, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

4. Remember God’s past faithfulness: we can also strengthen our faith when we remember how God has been faithful in the past, though we can also find reminders in each day. Reflecting on the ways God has helped you or others in the past can encourage your faith and trust in God now with whatever you’re going through.

5. Pray for strength and guidance: prayer is essential for building unshakable faith. When you feel doubts and fears coming over you, reach out to God immediately. Pray to Him—He will hear you. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5, and many other verses).

6. Trust and obey: like the old hymn, unshakable faith is also built by obeying and trusting the Lord. Obedience allows us to experience the fruit of obeying God and trusting what He says. Doing so may bring about a change in the circumstances you're facing, though maybe not immediately. Everything happens in God's timing, but we can always trust and be obedient to His will.

Building Our Faith in God

Unshakable faith isn't the absence of fear and hardship. Instead, it's the ability to trust God in the midst of your trials and fear. Remember Gideon, Job, Elijah, and Peter—they certainly faced moments of fear and lack of faith. But the Lord was always with them and got them through the other side. 

In the same way, our Lord is always with us in the midst of life's challenges. It's OK to feel afraid, uncertain, and doubtful. Keeping our eyes on Christ in those moments builds our faith and perseverance, even when everything seems to be falling apart. Building our faith in God's character and promises means we can rest on His strength, care, and provision no matter what life throws at us. 

God bless,

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