Devotion: How to have unshakeable faith
Written By Dianna Hobbs // Devotions
If you have been a faithful member of the Daily Cup family for some time, you know the Hobbs family loves our football team, the Buffalo Bills. Although our record isn’t the best in recent years, we are diehard fans.
Recently, we were all abuzz about the prospects of a talented wide receiver named Antonio Brown possibly coming to Buffalo to play for our team. Quickly, negative reports surfaced saying the Wide Receiver didn’t want to come to Buffalo because he lacked respect for our city and team. While that upset some residents, it didn’t take long before the actual truth came out.
The Bills’ General Manager, Brandon Beane, issued a statement revealing the true story. What actually happened, according to him, is the Buffalo Bills organization inquired about Antonio Brown, couldn’t work out a deal that made sense for either party, and withdrew the offer. That was it in a nutshell. The athlete’s decision not to come to Buffalo reportedly had nothing to do with him looking down on our city and team. Nevertheless, many still believe Antonio Brown was turned off by our team’s underdog status.
For those of us that live here and are used to being underestimated, it’s not strange that Buffalo would be viewed as unworthy of a player of his caliber. The Buffalo Bills are underdogs. In fact, even our glory days in the 1990s are marred by embarrassment. We went to the Super Bowl four times and lost all four times.
Ouch, right?
So anyway, there are times in life when the underdog classification is absolutely right… like in Buffalo’s case. On the other hand, there are times when people underestimate others and are absolutely wrong about it.
I started thinking about this as I was reading Psalm 118. Bible scholars can’t exactly agree on who wrote this psalm or even who was the subject of it originally. But everybody agrees that it points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, especially because it is referenced several times in the New Testament.
There are two verses I want to zone in on specifically – verses 23 and 24 – and they say this: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Before getting into the spiritual application, let’s establish what a cornerstone is. In ancient times, when it came to building physical structures, the cornerstone was the very first stone that was laid for a building. The way it was positioned determined how all the other stones should be positioned in order to fit with that stone. It was the best piece of stone – the most important – and it was very large. The cornerstone was an immovable object from which the rest of the building took its direction. It was the foundational stone.
Jesus was the stone that the builder’s rejected that became the Chief Cornerstone. Isn’t it just astounding that the Jews in Jesus’ day refused to acknowledge and accept Him as the Messiah when He is, in fact, the very foundation upon which our salvation is built? Though He was rejected and underestimated, He has become the Chief Cornerstone. That truly is, as Scripture says, marvelous in our eyes! Jesus is the Exalted King. His name is above every name.
“You serve a risen savior, Jesus Christ, and there is power in His name. Build your hope upon Him and you will never be forsaken nor shaken!”
Isaiah 28:16 NLT says, “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.’”
Jesus is that foundation stone. And I love the last line in this verse: “Whoever believes need never be shaken!”
If you listened to today’s podcast, it falls right in line with this devotion’s theme of unshakeable faith. When your foundation is built upon Christ, the Rock, who is the Chief Cornerstone, you can remain steadfast and unmovable. No matter what comes your way, you need never be shaken.
The storms of life may rage. Winds might blow. Troubling rains may pour. Despite all that, when your foundation is sure, you will withstand the storm and be victorious. When your faith is anchored in the word of God, it is unshakeable. Then you can walk around with your head held high, knowing the devil is defeated; knowing the healing is yours; knowing the way is made; knowing the situation will work in your favor.
When your hope is built on Christ the Rock, the negative doctor’s report won’t shake you. The bills that require more money than you have in your account won’t shake you. The attack on your family and loved ones won’t shake you. The adversity and opposition that seems to stand in the way of your blessing won’t shake you. The key to unshakeable faith is building it upon Christ, the Cornerstone.
Today, I’m stirring a powerful reminder into your cup of inspiration found in Psalm 62:2 NIV, which says, “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, intimidation, discouragement, worry, and fear is dissipating. As you remember that Christ, your Rock, the hope of your salvation is for you, you can be sure that nothing and no one can stand against you. Remain steadfast in faith and unmovable in your conviction, always knowing and declaring that God is able!
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for anchoring my faith in times of uncertainty. No matter what comes my way, because my hope is built upon Christ, I will not be shaken by fear, doubt, or worry. You, oh Lord, are all-powerful, and I know You are working on my behalf. Thank You for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
