I’ve been recently reflecting on the difficult simplicity that is my faith. What do I mean by that? Let’s just say that the events of the past few months have been vast and trying. I have reached a point where I am looking at my life around me – my blessings, my struggles, the things I can’t change, the dreams God put in my heart that I can’t will into existence, the overwhelming realities that threaten to crowd me out of my own head – and I am left with a choice: To believe or not to believe. I realize how cliche that last line reads, but it is a critical question.

In times when we struggle and our faith is tested, we must press in further to the truth of God. I have been forced to ask myself in the last few months, “Do I really believe what I say I believe?” The following thought is necessarily, “If I believe what I say I believe, then I have no choice but to stand on faith.”

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. – Isaiah 53:11-12 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. – Malachi 3:1 ESV

“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. – Zecharaiah 13:1 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” … He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.” – John 8:12, 23-25 ESV

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. – Luke 24:25-27 ESV

The stumbling block is belief. After all the arguments, all of the excuses, all of the pain that people allow to stand between themselves and their Savior, the last real hurdle is a very base question. Will you believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died for your sins and that His blood is enough to save you? So simple. So difficult.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 ESV

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. – I Corinthians 1:22-24 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13 ESV

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? – I John 5:4-5 ESV

I have one question for you. Will you believe?