Session 24

How to walk forward in faith

From 1 Samuel: A 6-Week Devotional

Fear is a real emotion all of us feel from time to time. No one is perfectly brave at every moment of their lives. Fear can be particularly strong when we are facing an unknown future or when something unexpected happens to us. Being afraid often leads us to believe the Lord has abandoned us in our current circumstances, leaving us weak and vulnerable.

In 1 Samuel 7, Samuel assembles the nation of Israel in a field in Mizpah. While the people were gathered, an enemy nation, the Philistines, gets word all the Israelites are gathered in an open field, completely vulnerable to attack. When the Israelites heard of the Philistines advancing toward them, "they were afraid” (1 Samuel 7:7).

Our trust in the Lord will grow if we will cry out to God and walk forward in faith.

Even so, the Israelites begged Samuel to call out to God for them (1 Samuel 7:8). Armed with Samuel’s prayers, the Israelites moved forward in the battle against the Philistines, even though they were afraid (1 Samuel 7:11).

We are not promised a life without fear, but Jesus does promise to hear us when we pray (Psalm 34:17) and to be with us as we walk through life (Hebrews 13:5). We can move forward in faith, in spite of any fear we may be facing, knowing we are never meant to face any battle alone.

The battles we face in life may not get easier, but our trust in the Lord will grow if we will cry out to God and walk forward in faith.  

Reflect:

• Is there any part of your life where you feel particularly fearful?
• What is one thing you can do today to move ahead in faith knowing the Lord is with you?