When God Requires a Radical Step of Faith

By Chip Ingram

Do you dream of doing great things for God but often think it’s not possible? Do you struggle with feeling good enough? Perhaps you wonder, “Whywould God want to use me? I’m just an ordinary person.”

I’ve got great news! Throughout history, God has always been carrying out a plan to do great things through ordinary people who assume it could only happenthrough other, more qualified people.

God’s qualifications are very, very simple: He’s looking for a man or a woman whose heart is fully His.

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

To have a fully committed heart means that we really care about the things God cares about. It means setting aside our desire to get our own needs met. Italso requires that we have a broken spirit and desperately dependent on God.

And a fully committed heart also requires that we get out of our comfort zone and take aradical step of faith.

What’s a radical step of faith?

It’s choosing to step out to fulfill God’s clearly defined will, at great personal risk, and sacrifice.

God’s looking for someone who would be willing to forsake all, and despite trepidation and fear, step out in faith and say, “God, all I am and all I haveis yours. And in my sphere of influence, the way that you made me, I will do whatever You want me to do to stand in the gap, and be Your representative.”

Nehemiah was such a person. He wanted to do great things for God, and he knew it would require him to take a radical step of faith. As a cupbearer to theking of Persia, God had placed him in a specific time and a specific place to accomplish His specific will. God wanted to use Nehemiah’s particularaffluence and intelligence to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem’s wall was burned down and the Jews were in great trouble, he was greatly upset. He prayed and cried out to the Lord forhelp. Then he approached the king to ask for his permission to go and restore the city wall.

I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can benothing but sadness of heart.”

 

I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors areburied lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” (Nehemiah 2:1-4)

Notice that Nehemiah was very afraid because He knew that the king could have killed him for simply being sad in his presence. But, Nehemiahdidn’t let his fear stop Him from accomplishing what God had laid on his heart. As a result, God gave him favor and he went on to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall.

It’s worth noting that some of the greatest things that have ever been done on the face of the earth by God’s people are done by people who areabsolutely terrified and afraid of what they’re about to do.

But they don’t let the fear stop them. They don’t let the fear of finances, the fear of rejection, or fear of their physical life prevent them from doingGod’s will.

So, what would it look like for you to take a radical step of faith?

Is it launching a ministry? Is it going public with your faith and getting baptized? Breaking up a destructive relationship? Or, maybe it is trusting Godwith all of your finances?

God wants to do great things in us and through us, but He can’t do it if we don’t believe in Him and trust His purposes. Remember that God values ourfaith.

God is not impressed with our morality, He’s not impressed with our knowledge, and He’s not impressed with our ministry success. The number one agenda thatGod has for you, and for me, is that we trust Him.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those whoearnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

For additional tools and resources on this topic, visit ourWeekday Radio archive and browse our Small Group Studies.

Written By

Chip Ingram

Founder & Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge

Chip Ingram is the CEO and teaching pastor of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip has a unique ability to communicate truth and challenge people to live out their faith. He is the author of many books, including The Real God, Culture Shock and The Real Heaven. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.

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