LIFE HAS A way of throwing curveballs at us—whether it’s frustrations, disappointments, difficulties, or sickness. These challenges come at us weekly, sometimes daily. It’s part of living on this earth. But there is good news. In Mark 11:24 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
That’s a powerful promise. However, there is often a gap between praying and seeing the answer. What are we supposed to do during that waiting period? The writer of Hebrews tells us.
HEBREWS 10:23 (NKJV)
23 Let us hold fast the confession [or profession] of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
We are told to hold fast to our confession. That means we are to keep saying the same thing. We must keep saying what we believe until we see it.
Don’t Separate From Your Confession
In 1949, when my father began traveling full-time in ministry, he would often return home after weeks on the road. We would tell him about our problems or pressing needs and ask, “What are we going to do?” His response was always the same: “We’re going to act like the Word of God is true, because this is just another opportunity to prove that God’s Word works!”
Instead of becoming upset or discouraged when things weren’t going well, he chose to see those moments as opportunities to believe God. And that’s what we’re all called to do.
Mark 11:23 (NKJV) says, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”
While we may not face literal mountains, we all deal with obstacles—problems, sickness, or whatever else the enemy throws in our direction. And the Word tells us to speak to those things! If we declare God’s promises and refuse to waver, we’ll see those mountains move.
Ben Campbell Johnson’s paraphrase of Mark 11:23 emphasizes that we must maintain unwavering faith in what we declare. If we disconnect from our words of faith, they will not be manifest in our lives. But when we hold steadfastly to our declaration, we will see it fulfilled.
When we make a statement of faith, we must stay with it regardless of what we see or feel. If we start speaking the opposite, we can undo our faith and find ourselves back at square one.
When we make a statement of faith, WE MUST STAY WITH IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE SEE OR FEEL.
Watch What You Say
Many people sabotage their own prayers with negative confessions. Some might say, “I’m just worried sick about that,” or “Nothing good ever happens to me.” These are the kinds of words that keep people stuck.
Some people avoid speaking altogether. They believe that if they don’t say anything, then they won’t make things worse. But not saying something is still saying something! Silence can be just as damaging as negative words. People who think like this have an attitude that says, “Well, I can’t do anything about it, so whatever will be will be.”
But we can do something about it! When Jesus rose from the dead, He declared that all power in Heaven and earth had been given to Him. Then He gave that authority to believers.
This authority means we can speak to our situations. A believer who understands their authority in Christ will keep speaking what they believe according to God’s Word, even when circumstances don’t seem to align.
Unshakable Faith
Hebrews 10:23 tells us to hold fast to our confession without wavering. That means staying strong and steady, no matter how things look or feel. If God’s Word says it, we believe it, and that settles it. Our confession of the Word has to be unshakable. We can’t be off-again, on- again confessors of God’s Word. We have to be “on” all the time.
It is important to avoid letting emotions dictate our confession. Some people’s faith wavers based on their feelings. One day, they are confident in God’s promises. The next day, they doubt. That kind of instability leads to nothing. James puts it plainly:
JAMES 1:6–8 (NLT)
6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
In difficult times, we must keep saying what God said and nothing else. If we want to see results, we have to stick to our confession. Even when circumstances become overwhelming, even when emotions run high, we cannot let our confession of God’s Word change.
The facts of life don’t always line up with God’s Word. But that doesn’t change what we believe or say. We recognize the facts, but we declare God’s truth over them. We have to keep saying it until we see it. And we don’t stop. Every time doubt tries to creep in, we declare God’s Word again.
God’s Faithfulness
Hebrews 10:23 reminds us, “For He who promised is faithful.” God has never broken a promise. People may let us down. They may break their promises. But God is trustworthy. His Word remains true, and He’s faithful to keep His Word.
The Contemporary English Version says it this way: “We can trust the one who made the agreement with us.” God’s promises, confirmed through Christ, are always “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
When we stay in line with God’s Word and keep saying what we believe according to His Word, we will have what we believe. No matter what is happening in our lives, we are to remain faithful, saying what He says until we see it happen.
Testimonies of Faith
Have you seen God move in response to your confession of faith? Share your testimony with us at [email protected] and inspire others!
Author
Kenneth W. Hagin
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