If you know me, you know that I talk about faith. Preach about faith. Want to live faith.

Yet. I am human too. Full of sin & self-interest. I need faith. I need to live out faith.

And. My faith must be challenged. Like a muscle. It must be exercised progressively in order to grow. It must be used regularly to prevent atrophy.

I've had a faith challenge of late. And God, in His exceeding grace, answered today. He will provide. He will carry. Why would I doubt? He always does. As J. Hudson Taylor said, "God's work done in God's way will never lack for God's provision."

Reveling in the exceeding goodness of God, the wonderful, old hymn How Firm a Foundation fell upon my heart.

Published in 1787 within John Rippon's Selection of Hymns, the first verse lays God's Word as the foundation. Faith strengthening Scriptures fill the verses that follow. Verse two is Isaiah 41:10. Three is Isaiah 43:2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 is within verse four. The fifth verse leans on Hebrews 13:5.

Be encouraged. Be strengthened. Be challenged. As you read or sing.

How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

Do you have a faith story you'd like to share?

Maybe a favorite Scripture or quote about faith?