Brian Orchard
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Brian Orchard encourages the Church to persevere in faith, so that the things not seen become a
tangible and personal reality. We seek to walk by faith, not by site. But this gives rise to tension
between our reliance on the Holy Spirit, and the physical circumstances we perceive. Faith (i.e.
conviction, trust, belief) connects us to the spirit realm, allowing us to perceive as real things that are
not visible. Conversely, fear is a natural response to things that are visible. Peter had faith to walk on
the water, but he looked at his physical surroundings, became afraid, and began to sink. Yet “I Am”
(Christ) had total control of the situation. Faith and fear oppose each other. Our world is falling apart,
and we can’t save it. Our personal lives reflect similar circumstances; problems that are beyond our
ability to control. Some respond to this by becoming either hopelessly passive, or pointlessly
hyperactive. We must not choose either extreme, but rather maintain course and not lose heart.
Faithfulness. Belief underpins our faith amidst circumstances that try to break it. Through a the
interaction of his mind with the Holy Spirit, David translated the invisible promises of God’s word into
something tangible that directed his life. So he did not lose heart. David had every reason to fear. He
cried out day and night continually for a long time. But he connected with the certainty of the Holy
Spirit in a very concrete way.
Covenant. David anchored to the covenant, rather than the circumstances around him. David believed
that God would fulfill His covenant obligations. God will not break His witness. His promises are true
and certain. We entered into a covenant with God at baptism, which covenant is absolutely sure. As
long as we yield, God will incline our hearts to Himself. Faith is not something we individually have to
work up. Faith is given to us by God. We ask Him for the faith OF Christ, rather than expressing our own
faith IN Christ. God gives the ability to walk in His law. God provides peace. He WILL do it, and we stand
firm on that expectation. Our circumstances can inspire fear. But our unbelief does not void God’s
faithfulness. As Abraham did, we must make real and concrete the promises of God.
Action. This kind of trust produces willing action, no coerced obedience. Abraham certainly obeyed,
but he believed first. He accepted God’s promises as fact, and responded accordingly. Through the
spirit of God we can “see” and believe every word of God, and establish this as the paradigm by which
we live each day. Growth in this area demands that we prove our belief, through reading, meditating,
praying, and obeying, and then relate everything in physical life to an awareness of God’s existence.
Faith comes through the Word of God, and that Word (the Bible) must be a familiar and comfortable
environment.
A covenant relationship with God means that we are God’s possession. Is that the reality of your life?
Regardless of physical circumstances, we trust Him because He is faithful to the relationship. We have a
part to play in that relationship; i.e. obedience to the terms of that covenant. We cannot earn salvation,
and God is faithful even when we are not. But obedience expands our ability to see the invisible things
of God. Obedience builds our faith. Do not grow weary. The substance of things hoped for becomes
reality.
