Unwavering Faith/Hope: How to Steady Your Trust in Jesus

Learn to have unwavering faith, trust, and hope in the Lord Jesus. Why? Because God is faithful to His promises.

Faith is not knowing when or how, but firmly believing God will! – Tim.

Steady Faith

Unwavering – without confusion or doubt; fixed and steady at all times. Unwavering may not be a word you use. Still, when applied to faith and hope in God, it means solid. It is the faith and assured hope that things cannot weaken. Problems and negative situations will not destroy. Let us learn to have firm faith and hope in our Lord Jesus.

When the disciples saw it [the fig tree so quickly wither away] they exclaimed in astonishment, “How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!” 21 “I solemnly tell you,” said Jesus, “that if you have an unwavering faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as this of the fig-tree, but that even if you say to this mountain, `Be thou lifted up and hurled into the sea,’ it shall be done; 22 and everything, whatever it be, that you ask for in your prayers, if you have faith, you shall obtain.” Matthew 21:20-22 (WNT)

NOTE: verse 21, ‘unwavering faith’ commonly translated ‘faith without doubt’ G1252 διακρίνω diakrino (dee-ak-ree’-no) 2. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from,  (reflexively) hesitate. Normally translated as doubting, James 1:6 uses ‘wavering’, and in James 1:8 is referred to as being double-minded.

“And Jesus answering, said to them, Verily I say to you, if you have faith, without wavering, you may do not only as much as is done to this fig tree; but if you should even say to that mountain, Be thou lifted up and thrown into the sea, it shall be done.” Matthew 21:21 (CTET)

Solid foundation

Unchanging faith is a very important part of the foundation of who we are as children of God; Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God. (OEB)

♦ This, now, is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I am placing in Zion a foundation that is firm and strong. In it I am putting a solid cornerstone on which are written the words, ‘Faith that is firm is also patient‘ Isaiah 28:16-17 (GNT)

♦ “So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (GW)

Always trust the Lord Jesus

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. 3 For Thy lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Thy truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders.

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Thine altar, O Lord, 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And declare all Thy wonders. Psalms 26:1-7 (NASB)

Psalms 26:1

[from three translations] Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. (JPS)

Rule me rightly, O יהוה, For I have walked in my integrity. And I have trusted in יהוה, without wavering. (ISR) [יָהּ Yahh (yaw) 1. Jah, the sacred name]

Judge me, O Jehovah, for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in Jehovah without wavering. (ASV)

Build each other up

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

22 And you must show mercy to [have compassion for; keep being kind to; help] those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Jude 20-23 (NLT)

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Unwavering Hope

God is faithful

Let your hope in God be unwavering. Never doubt the promises of the faithful God.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way which he has opened for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And since we have a high priest over the house of God, 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our hope, without wavering; (for he who promised is faithful;) 24 And let us consider how to arouse one another to love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25 (RKJNT)

NOTE:

verse 23 the phrase ‘without wavering’ (used only once in the KJV Bible) is from the Greek ἀκλινής aklines (ak-lee-nace’) adj. 1. not leaning; steadfast 2. (figuratively) firm; unmoved; unwavering. 3. Never doubted; always steady and on course.

Other translations of verse 23:

♦ “And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess…“. (NET)

♦ “Hold down the profession of our hope unwaveringly; for he who pre-evangelized is trustworthy.” (ECB)

♦ “and washed as to our body with purifying water: let us hold fast the testimony of hope steadfast…” (Godbey)

Why hope?

You might ask, why should I have unwavering, unmovable, solid, or doubtless hope in Jesus? Let’s see if He has done what He said He would do!

1. Jesus said he would die and rise; He did!

• Death – He told us or His disciples He would die and return to life three days later: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto [telling] his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day [three days later]. Matthew 16:21 (KJV)
  • [read Matthew 16:21-23 (21), 17:22-23 (23), and 20:17-19 (19); Mark 8:31-33 (31), 9:30-32 (31), and 10:32-34 (34); Luke 18:31-34 (33)]
• Resurrection – He rose like He said: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen just as He said [He would]. Come and see the place where the Lord had been lying, 7 then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is [now] going on ahead of you into Galilee. You will see Him there.’ Now [that is all] I have to tell you.” Matthew 28:5-7 (AUV)
  • [read Matthew 28:1-8 (5-7); Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10]

2. Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit; He did!

• Promise made: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Counselor; Advocate; the Holy Spirit/Ghost] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7 (KJV)
• The promise kept: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [Comforter; Counselor; Advocate; the Holy Spirit], and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 (KJV)

3. Jesus will return for you (us), you can trust Him!

We continually give thanks to God because of you all, while we make mention of you in our prayers. 3 For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father; 4 knowing as we do, brethren, that you are beloved by God and that He has chosen you. 5 The Good News that we brought you did not come to you in words only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, for you know the sort of men we became among you, as examples for your sakes.

6 And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master, after you had received the Message amid severe persecution, and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives, 7 so that you became a pattern to all the believers throughout Macedonia and Greece. 8 For it was not only from you that the Master’s Message sounded forth throughout Macedonia and Greece; but everywhere your faith in God has become known, so that it is unnecessary for us to say anything about it.

9 For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bondservants of the 1 true and ever-living God, 10 and to await the return from Heaven of His Son, whom He raised from among the dead–even Jesus, our Deliverer from God’s coming anger. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (WNT)

Unshakable hope of ‘full salvation’

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, which enters within the veil; 20 Where Jesus, the forerunner, has entered for us, having become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

7:28 For the law appoints men, who are frail, to be high priests; but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

9:28 So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many; shall appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who eagerly await him. Hebrews 6:19-20, 7:28, 9:28 (RKJNT)

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Unwavering wrap-up

My friends, continue in solid faith. Do not move away from the hope you have in the Lord Jesus.

God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. 20 And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.

21 You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. 22 But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent. 23 But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message. Colossians 1:19-23 (CEV)

Abraham’s unwavering hope and faith

Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your seed be.” 19 Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,

21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 Therefore it also was “reckoned to him for righteousness.” 23 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. Romans 4:18-25 (WEB)

Be sure, absolutely solid, and firm

The word unwavering is one of the not-so-familiar words. But is helpful when understood as it means to not feel or show doubt, or uncertainty; not be wishy-washy or hesitant. When it comes to faith and hope in God do not waver. Ephesians 4:14 “So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine…“ (AMP)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NWR)

“My heart is unwavering, God—my heart is unwavering. I will sing and make music.” Psalm 57:7 (CEB)

Trust Jesus to do what He said He will do! Be unwavering (absolutely solid) in hope and faith in the Lord (Ephesians 4:13-14) and be blessed my friends-♥ Tim.

Study outline/Scriptures:

Note: parenthesis (#) enclose the key verses.

1. 1. • Faith: Matthew 21:20-22 [(21) compare Mark 11:20-24 (22); James 1:2-8 (5-6); Hebrews 6: 1-8 (1-2)
        • Solid foundation: Isaiah 28:16-22 (16); 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (58)
        • Trust the Lord: Psalms 26:1-7 (1)
        • Build each other up: Jude 1:17-23 (20-23)
      • Hope: Hebrews 10:19-25 (23)
        • Why hope? Hebrews 10:5-10 (10) and 10:11-17 (14, 16-17)
        • Jesus will return: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (10)
      • Conclusion: Colossians 1:19-23 {focus verses: 21-23; (23)}.
        • Abraham’s example: Romans 4:13-25 {focus verses: 18-25; (20).
        • Be sure, solid, and firm: 1 Peter 5:5-11 (8-9); Psalms 57:7-8 (7); Ephesians 4:7-16 {focus verses: 11-16; (13-14)}.

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

What We Hope For – an estimated 3-minute read.

Trust God; Build Your Hope And Depend on God – an estimated 16-minute read.

The Power of Faith – an estimated 5-minute read.

♥ Question for “Unwavering Hope Unwavering Faith”: Is your hope and faith unwavering/steadfast and solid?

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Copyright information:

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(AMP) Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) || (ASV) American Standard Version – public domain. || Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible Scripture quoted by permission. || (ECB) exeGeses companion Bible – exeGeses may be freely used and reproduced in part in the furtherance of the Evangelism of Elohim, provided that acknowledgement be given to exeGeses. exegeses a non profit religious corporation PO Box 1776, Orange, CA. 92668. No copyright statement. || (ISR) Scripture taken from The Scriptures, Copyright by Institute for Scripture Research. Used by permission. [AKA TS98] || (GTNT) Godbey Translation of the New Testament by W. B. Godbey 1905 – Public Domain. || (GW) Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

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(NASB) Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. || Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved. || Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. || (WE) Taken from THE JESUS BOOK – The Bible in Worldwide English. Copyright SOON Educational Publications, Derby DE65 6BN, UK. Used by permission.