Lord, Increase My Faith

I sing on the praise team at my church here in Korea. Our church building is pretty small, so when we have Sunday morning worship, we can clearly hear those that sing in the front row, especially now with no monitor (it kind of blew up a few months back...). At times, this can be a problem, particularly when you are unable to read music and everything you do is by ear, like me. However at times, it can be a blessing. This morning I received one of those blessings.

We have many children from our school who also attend our church. This morning five of those kids were sitting in the first two rows. As we began singing the song He Knows My Name I starting thinking about the lyrics (below) and how amazing it is that the Creator of the universe knows me completely and that He still loves me. As we got to the first chorus, the congregation singing got much louder, but upon listening more closely I realized that those 5 kids in the front row were singing their hearts out. I knew that they sang it at chapel, but watching their faces light up as they loudly sang about their Maker nearly caused me to not be able to sing. It was almost impossible for me not to cry. It was so precious. It made my heart happy.

Today's sermon was titled "Lord, Increase Our Faith." It was so great and much needed. I've been struggling for some time with my faith; I would say about 29 and a half years. I do believe, but many times I find myself unfaithful. I find myself worried, fearful, neutral, careless, unbelieving rather than pleading with God because I know (in faith) that He'll answer. I am not like those four guys who lowered their friend into a crowd of people, most of time my faith is hidden - not seen by others.

I know that we are saved through faith, justified by faith, should live by faith, that it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of God, and that God rewards those who seek Him diligently. However, I find myself with this constant struggle. I know that I want be pleasing to God and I want a good testimony for my life. But upon further study of my life of faith, I don't think I'm there, I don't think I am pleasing to God, I don't think my testimony is good. Someday, hopefully I'll get there, but that will only happen with increased faith.

Of course I can't increase my faith on my own, this is why God has given us the Great High Priest to intercede for us. What I can do is to earnestly seek Him and to ask daily (maybe I should try like every hour...) for Him to increase my faith. I know I'll fail, but thankfully, like the song we sang this morning says - my Maker knows my heart, He calls me His own, my life is in His hands. He'll hear me when I call Him, especially if I'm calling out for Him to increase my puny faith.

---- He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
And He hears me when I call

He knows my name
He knows my heart
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call