The Government says the economy is struggling; your doctor says there is no hope; your bank tells you that you are not creditable; your employer tells you, that you are sacked; and your friends and family says you are on your own. But then, the word of God tells you that your God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. The question is “whose report would you believe?”. Isaiah 53, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?.
Many times in our lives, we are faced with situations that challenge our faith in God, and His word. Most of us go through difficult times and we are constantly questioning the report of God’s promises to us, because of the appearances of the physical evidence surrounding us. Although, the report from the doctors, banks, employers etc may be depressing, deflating and discouraging; as children of the Most High God, we have a choice to either accept what is presented to us or believe and declare what the word of God says. One major thing that we must bear in mind, is that our challenging situations are subject to change, but the word of God is unchangeable and unmoveable. Therefore, when we are considering whose report to believe, it is crucial that we apply faith and not fear. Fear will cause us to lose faith in God’s promises, rather than us focusing on the power in His word. Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Applying faith to the word of God during our unprecedented times, does not imply that the issues we are faced with are not real; instead, it means that we understand that God is bigger than all our problems. So, when your doctor tells you that our illness is untreatable, what do you do? As children of God, we should not react like the people of the world would, because we know that with God, all things are possible “Matthew 19:26”. Therefore, rather than accept the report of your doctor as the final verdict; find out what God’s word says concerning your situation. God’s word will always dominate the report of anyone irrespective of who or what they are. This is due to the fact that the word of God is alive and powerful; it is able to give life and make all things new “Hebrews 4:12, “ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. The report of the Lord gives us life, peace, joy, strength and hope. Proverbs 4:22, “For they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body”.
In the bible, we can clearly see in the new testament how the word of God healed many diseases, raised the dead, caused the blind to see, multiplied food, saved souls, gave victory etc. We must be aware that we have an enemy(the devil), who is a devourer; he is always seeking to cause havoc, sicknesses, diseases, kill, steal and destroy. But the bible instructs us in 2 Corinthian 10:4, that “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds”. When we are confused about whose report to believe based of the evidence that we see physically, we should remember that there is power in the name and blood of Jesus, His word, and His promises; over all that truly believe in Him. The way we think will affect whose report we choose to believe. The bible reminds us on the things to think of in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things”.
Therefore, when your bank tells you that they are foreclosing on your home, and that you are in debt; what would you do? Would you accept their verdict as final or would you remember the promises of God, that says: my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus? We have a choice as to whose report we believe. In other words, it boils down to the physical evidence presented to us versus our faith in the power of God. The evidence of what we are faced with, will never be a match to the promises of God in our lives. The challenges we face, can often be an opportunity for God to demonstrate the power of His word in our lives.
A good example of this, is seen in Luke 8:43-48 “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, who touched me? And Jesus said, somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace”. In this passage of scripture, we can clearly see how the doctors had given up on the woman; but rather than the woman accepting the doctor’s report as final, she chose to act in faith, by stepping out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus garment. Faith is an action word, and it is through believing God words, that we step into the promises of God for us.
When the twelve spies were sent by Moses to spy on the land of Canaan, ten of the spies gave a negative and fretful report based on what their physical eyes could see; but Joshua and Caleb gave a good report based on them believing the promises of God, rather than the physical evidence they saw. Both spies, out of the twelve, chose to see the land through the eyes of God, rather than man’s, “Numbers 13”. Also, in 1 Samuel 17:32-54, we see how David although young, acted with boldness because he chose to believe the report of God’s word, over the negative reports of the Israelite armies and the philistines. As a result of his strong and radical faith in the promises of God, he fought and conquered Goliath.
Another example is in John 11:38-44 “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So, they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out! “The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go”. Again, we see here that although Lazarus had been dead for three days, and it seemed all hope was lost; Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead at the command of His life-giving word. God will use every opportunity to glorify His name and power; therefore we as His children must chose to believe His report over any other. We must learn to see things the way God sees them; in order for us to see the power of God affect our challenging situations; and that is I say, is Faith! The bible tells us that faith calls those things that be not as though they are “Romans 4:17”. The things of God though spiritual, gives birth to all things physical.
When we chose to believe any report other than the report of the Lord, we place ourselves in a state of worry, confusion, fear and defeat. But the word of the Lord if believed, will uplift and nourish us during those challenging and difficult times. God is always with us, and He will never leave nor forsake us. So, rather than allowing the negative reports to consume our minds, declared the promises of God in the storm, and things will begin to change for our good. The bible reminds us that everything works together for good to those who love God and are called according to purpose “Romans 8:28”. When we are given negative reports, use the word of God that pertains to that situation; and stand on it by faith. How do you stand by faith? You stand in faith by walking in hope and confidence; believing that God’s promises to us, are yes and amen! The bible encourages us to compare scriptures with scriptures, therefore we should get those promises that concerns our us and situation from the bible, and use them. When we declare the reports of God’s promises to us, we activate and usher in the power of the spoken word of God into our challenging situations.
What to do when you have a negative report.
1. Pray and fast: Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Declare the word of God concerning the situation: Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”.
3. Praise God for His love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, love and power: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
4. Study the bible concerning the situation: 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.
5. Fight the good fight of faith: 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”.
6. Ask faithful believers that you trust, to pray with you in agreement: Matthew 18:19-21, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”.
7. Listen to positive testimonies from other believers: Acts 21:20, “When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law”.
8. Remain hopeful and patient for God to act on your behalf: Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint”.
Regardless of what the reports of our challenging situations are, God is faithful to perform all that He has promised us in His word. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His word is no respecter of persons and He alone is God. His will for us is clearly seen in Jeremiah 29:11 ”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. God has the final report on everything, and as His children, we should resolve within us that the report of the Lord, is the final report in all things. Our faith in the promises of God’s word, will ignite the power in the word of God, to cause a change to the negative reports that we may receive. Let us consciously choose to believe the promises of God; and make God’s word the report that binds our lives in all things always.
Praise God!
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