How to Live By Faith When Life Is Hard

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It’s not easy to live by faith when life is hard.

But it’s those difficult seasons when we need our faith to prompt us to go to the Lord in humble honest prayer…

I am worn out waiting for Your rescue,
    but I have put my hope in Your word.
My eyes are straining to see Your promises come true.
    When will You comfort me?

Psalm 119:81–82

We don’t know who wrote Psalm 119. The two names most often suggested are 1) Daniel – who was taken to Babylon in captivity after the fall of Judah and used by God to lead many with the truth of God’s Word; 2) Ezra – who was a priest, a scribe, and a great leader of God’s people. (Tradition says that Ezra is the most likely writer of Psalm 119 and that he led the council of men who compiled the Old Testament Canon.)

Both Ezra and Daniel knew and trusted God’s Word and made it their heart’s desire to live in obedience to Him. Both lived as captives under Babylonian rulers trusting that God was with them and that He faithfully kept His promises.

When I read about the lives of Ezra and Daniel it’s easy to imagine either one of them writing the verses above, “I’m worn out waiting for Your rescue … My eyes are straining to see Your promises come true.”

That’s what it looks like to live by faith. It’s trusting that whatever our circumstances—God keeps His promises.

Let’s look at more of this section of Psalm 119…

Your eternal word, O Lord,
    stands firm in heaven.
Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
    as enduring as the earth You created.
Your regulations remain true to this day,
    for everything serves Your plans.
If Your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
    I would have died in my misery.
I will never forget Your commandments,
    for by them You give me life.

How sweet Your words taste to me;
    they are sweeter than honey.
Your commandments give me understanding;
    no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.

You are my refuge and my shield;
    Your word is my source of hope.

Psalm 119:89–93, 103–105, 114

When you and I are worn out. When we are longing to see God’s promises come true. When life overwhelms us and waiting gets hard, we need God’s comfort and help…

So that we can live by faith!

Faith makes it possible for us to trust that…

• God’s Promises stand firm forever.
• God’s Word is faithful and lasting.
• God’s Word and regulations remain true always.
• God’s Word and instructions help us endure with joy.
• God’s Word gives us an understanding of life.
• God’s Word guides and directs us.
• God’s Word gives us hope.

I’m learning more about the dailiness of living by faith right now. When I tried to be the “good little church girl” I was raised to be, overwhelming days left me feeling defeated and discouraged. But I’ve had more days than I can count in recent years when I’ve cried out to the Heavenly Father saying … this feels too hard, I need Your help. Times when I’ve cried out and asked Him to give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

And He is faithful. He hasn’t removed our struggle but He has helped us carry it. And because He has given us what we need each day, we live with hope trusting His promises for the future.

I believe with all my heart that we can count on God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to be our refuge, strength, and protection. We can confidently trust that His unfailing love lasts forever.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer For God’s Help to Live by Faith

Father, when I am worn out waiting for Your rescue, please help me put my hope in Your Word. When I long to see Your promises come true, please comfort me. When I am overwhelmed, please help me live by faith.

I thank and praise You for Your Word and for the faith-filled people You put in my life to teach about Your grace, mercy, and love. You made it possible for me to hear the TRUTH that Your eternal Word stands firm in heaven and that Your faithfulness extends to every generation. Your Spirit has affirmed in me that Your commandments give life and understanding.

Your Word guides me along the path of life giving me hope each day … even when they are filled with challenges. Your Word says that “the righteous ones will live by faith” believing that the Coming One will keep His promise to come again. (Hebrews 10)

Lord, I surrender myself to You. Please help me trust and obey Your will … help me live by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What does it mean to you to “live by faith”?

Paul wrote…

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (CSB)

Through faith, we are united with Christ Jesus. His Spirit is with us and within us. He goes before us to light the path ahead. He walks beside us to give us strength. He goes behind us to protect us.

David wrote…

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

Psalm 16:8

And Isaiah wrote…

For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.

Isaiah 52:12b

So, live by faith! The Lord is with you. On the easy days and the hard days. On days of waiting or days of fulfillment. On days filled with tears or days of overflowing joy. You and I are not alone.

We can trust His promise…

“Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

May the Lord be with you today and give you everything you need to live by faith.

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