“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Faith that costs often requires stepping into the unknown. Obedience to the call of discipleship and stepping out of our comfort zone will feel uncomfortable and make no sense at times. It may even seem that we are being stretched way beyond what is easy or feels familiar.
Abraham found himself in such a situation, but “By faith Abraham, when called…obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8, NIV)
Other biblical characters also obeyed when they had no idea what the outcome would be: Noah built the ark before the rains came (Genesis 6:22); Esther risked her life and approached the king without being summoned (Esther 4:16); Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water (Matthew 14:29). Evidently, costly faith requires trusting God without full details and standing alone.
Obedience can be uncomfortable, but in each such situation, faith loudly shouts, “God, I trust you more than I trust what I see.” Faith that costs means obedience even when outcomes are unclear.
Note, however, costly obedience is never wasted. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). The truth is, God doesn’t always explain; He calls, and when He calls, He equips. Obedience that costs ultimately produces spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:8), deeper intimacy with God (John 14:21), and eternal reward (2nd Corinthians 4:7, James 1:12). What may feel like a loss today will often turn into a thing of beauty in the days ahead.
Is fear of the unknown delaying your response to God today? What feels uncertain to you right now may be the very thing that causes your faith to grow strongest. So, step out anyway. Trust anyway. Obey anyway!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be obedient and to trust Your purpose, even though everything is not quite clear to me. Strengthen my faith to obey, and remind me that nothing I sacrifice for You is in vain. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on eternal glory, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: 1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 50:1-15; Luke 22:1-38; Joshua 3; Joshua 4; Joshua 5:1-12