It’s a wonderful thing to be able to rest upon the truth of Romans, chapter 8 and verse 1. We wrestle with the world, our own flesh, and the fiery darts of evil and sometimes we fail. We are anything but “reliable.” But God is anything if “not” reliable. He does not lie, neither can he lie. Paul says, “This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began” (Titus 1:2). This truth is the only truth that will overcome the frustration, fear and failure of the life Paul has described for us in Romans Chapter 7. It’s something we must remind ourselves of frequently. There are times when we don’t feel confident in our Christian walk. We often fail in our struggles with sin. We are frail people. If we trust in ourselves we will surely live defeated lives. But even in the midst of what appears to be a losing battle we can find hope, just like the Psalmists of old. In Psalm 62:5-6, David, completely aware of his sinfulness, exhorts himself, “Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me confidence. He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be upended.”

I’m sure you’ve heard the children’s chorus, “Jesus loves me this I know, cause the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.” Believing God’s truth is the source of all our hope and life is the key to victory. It’s all about trusting God and His promises. It’s all about our faith in God’s goodness and perfect plan and purpose for our lives. He loves us and has our best interest foremost in mind regardless of the circumstances in life he allows to reach us. Trust me! God said this to Adam and Eve. They failed! God said this to Abraham and He did. This is why he’s the “father of faith.” From Abraham God created a great nation! Not a nation conceived of the flesh, but a nation conceived by faith. I love what Augustus Strong said in his Systematic Theology back in 1907, “Faith is God’s measure of a man. Why should I doubt that God spoke to the fathers through the prophets? Why should I think it incredible that God should raise the dead? The things that are impossible with men are possible with God. When the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth? Let him at least find faith in us who profess to be his followers.”

The evil one is like a “roaring lion” that is prowling around looking for any that he might devour. But faith in God and God’s power always brings the victory. I read that Dwight L. Moody’s favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 12:2. It says, “I will trust, and not be afraid.” We have many great examples in the Bible of faith overcoming fear but none more direct than that of Daniel. Faith is the answer to fear, and Daniel’s faith in God was stronger than his fear of the lions. May that be our testimony as well.