I hear many people speak about their faith.
They quote Scripture.
They mold God’s word into the template of their own reality.
But look closely—truth is not in words alone, but in what is lived.
Is the presence of God, the redemption of Christ, revealed in what they say and do?
Faith is not built on words.
It is built on presence.
Presence of God among His people.
Presence that sustains, like gardens beside a stream.
Presence that Balaam saw, when his eyes were unveiled.
Presence fulfilled in Christ, the Living Water.
Faith is the garden beside the spring of Living Water.
But presence demands response.
Faith cannot live unless we answer.
And we cannot answer unless we lay aside pride…
our priorities… our positions…
and clothe ourselves in humility.
The leaders in the temple asked Jesus about authority.
They could not answer.
Their fear and pride closed their hearts.
But Balaam saw a star rising from Jacob.
We know that star.
It is Christ.
His authority is from the Father.
His presence is here.
Faith is not passive.
It is presence met with response.
It is humility opening the door to grace.
And when we respond, our lives become gardens beside the stream…
flowing with living water—lives where Christ’s presence is not only spoken, but seen.
Prayer of Presence and Response
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the star that rises from Jacob,
the Living Water that sustains Your people.
Open our eyes,
to see not only words, but Your presence among us.
Strip away our pride, our positions, our priorities,
and clothe us in humility before Your authority.
Teach us that faith is not passive,
but presence met with response.
Give us courage to answer You,
to live what we profess,
so that our lives may become gardens beside the stream,
flowing with Your grace,
where Your presence is not only spoken, but seen.
Amen.
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