What Real Biblical Faith Looks Like
The situation remains the same. The enemy still threatens. The exile continues. The pain persists. Yet something else also remains—hope. This is the testimony of Psalm 42 and the heart of genuine biblical faith practiced at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes as we be the change as Jesus has changed us.
Faith Before the Breakthrough
Here’s an encouraging truth that transforms how we face difficulties: Real biblical faith is often choosing hope before circumstances improve. Read that again. Let it sink in. Real faith happens before things get better, not after.
It’s easy to have faith afterward, isn’t it? Once God has brought you through the trial, you can say, “I saw how God led me through that. I have great faith in God!” But that’s not really faith in the biblical sense—that’s reflection, that’s testimony, that’s hindsight.
The real faith, the tested faith, the genuine faith comes before the deliverance. It happens in the middle of the mess when you don’t see the way out but you know God’s got this.
“I Shall Again Praise Him”
The psalmist doesn’t end with easy answers or instant solutions. He ends with renewed trust. He declares: “I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Notice what he doesn’t say. He doesn’t say “maybe I will” or “I wish I could” or “I hope things change.” No—he says “I shall.” That’s certainty. That’s confidence. That’s hope anchored in God’s character, not in changed circumstances.
The praise is in the future tense. He’s not feeling it right now. He’s not experiencing breakthrough in the moment. But he knows—with absolute confidence—that his time in the temple will come again. His moment of corporate worship will return. The moment when he feels God’s presence all around him instead of just inside him will come again.
Why? Because God remains faithful even when circumstances remain difficult.
Living “Just 3” in the Waiting
At Lakeview Christian Church, our commitment to Study, Share, and Serve doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances:
Study – We love and know God through His Word even when we don’t understand what He’s doing Share – We know and love others by sharing honest struggles alongside steady hope Serve – We put love in action, serving faithfully before we see results
This is faith that endures. This is hope that sustains. This is trust that transforms.
Your Hope Anchor Today
Whatever you’re facing right now—whatever hasn’t changed despite your prayers, whatever enemy still threatens, whatever pain persists—choose hope today. Not because your circumstances have improved, but because your God has not changed.
Declare with confidence: “I shall again praise Him.” Not maybe, not hopefully, not if things work out—but I shall.
