Someone said, "Faith is taking the first step even though you do not see the whole staircase." The Bible says we walk by faith and not by trust, meaning you put your confidence in what God has said, ignoring what you're seeing with your natural eyes.
Another person said, "Faith is foolishness put to action," meaning faith is believing that God can, despite the evidence presented before you.
In Exodus 13, God led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Instead of taking the easier, more direct route that they were more familiar with, God delivered them through the wilderness. You need to understand that the children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for some time, so if they went through the short route, they could have become slaves for the giants and inhabitants of the promised land. God, knowing this, took them through the wilderness so that the slave mentality could be removed, and they could learn God's ways and believe he can deliver the promise to them.
Many carry God's promises that were aborted because they were afraid to take the first step. Faith is the response of the human spirit to the word of God. Imagine God promising slaves land that has more fierce inhabitants than where they are. Was it not easier for God to just give them the land in Egypt? But God plans not just for one generation, but for many generations to come. Definitely, the plan was almost impossible, but he knew through him nothing is impossible. All they had to do was to take the first step.
I have been in that place where God's promise seemed impossible, and some of you are surely in that place. In a night vision, I saw a man and a woman hanging on for their dear lives on a mountain edge, and God said to both of them, “Let go and praise Me.” This was a difficult thing to do because letting go of their lifeline would have seen them both dropping to their deaths.
The man obeyed and raised his hands in faith to praise God. He was immediately delivered as a hand came from the sky and grabbed him before he fell. The woman refused to let go until her arms gave in, and she fell to her death. The things of God are foolishness to those that perish.
She thought if she let go, she would die, so in an effort to save her life, she lost it. In her mind, she was wondering: if he was really God, surely he could save her even if she did not let go? God is a God of principles. He will never break his principles under any circumstances.
At times what God has said for you seems impossible, but all it takes is the first step. The children of Israel are an example of God's faithfulness, but also their unbelief delayed God's plan for them. What are you delaying, or have you aborted because you're not stepping out in faith? What is that promise he has given you? Will you take the first step?
In conclusion, faith demands stepping into the unknown, trusting God's promises despite obstacles. The Exodus story reveals God's ways and how he executes his plans. Hesitation, like the woman clinging to the mountain, risks losing your divine blessings. Learn from Israel's story: take the first step in faith. What promise are you delaying by not stepping out?
- Humphrey Mtandwa is an apostolic teacher of the word of God and founder of Believers Voice of Triumph Ministries. He has authored many books, including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness, Night Parables and Theophany. If you want to connect with him or have any questions, get in touch on www.apostlehumphrey.com