Anchored in Faith: Trusting God Through Life's Storms

Devotional

Day 1: The Just Shall Live by Faith

Living by faith means trusting God even when circumstances are uncertain, and continuing to believe in His promises through every trial and waiting season. When life’s storms rage and answers seem delayed, God calls His people to anchor themselves in Him, to keep their spirits right, and to persist in faith from one challenge to the next. Faith is not the absence of struggle, but the decision to trust God’s goodness and sovereignty in the midst of it all, knowing that He is working even when we cannot see it. [15:28]

Romans 1:17 (ESV)
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God’s timing? How can you choose to “live by faith” in that area today, even if you don’t see immediate results?

Day 2: Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

True faith is expressed through wholehearted trust in God, refusing to lean on our own understanding, and acknowledging Him in every aspect of life. When confusion or impatience tempts us to take matters into our own hands, God invites us to surrender control, to be still, and to let Him direct our paths. This trust is not passive, but an active choice to believe that God’s wisdom and timing are perfect, even when we are in the waiting. [15:28]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Where are you tempted to “lean on your own understanding” instead of trusting God? What would it look like to acknowledge Him and surrender that area to His direction today?

Day 3: Sit Still and Wait on God

Waiting on God is an act of faith that requires patience, wisdom, and obedience, as seen in Ruth’s story when she was told to “sit still” and let God work out the details. Instead of rushing ahead or forcing outcomes, God calls His people to remain steadfast, trusting that He is arranging things for their good and His glory. In the waiting, God often prepares blessings that exceed our expectations, if we will simply remain faithful and let Him move in His time. [26:28]

Ruth 3:18 (ESV)
She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Reflection: Is there a situation where you feel anxious to act, but sense God calling you to “sit still”? How can you practice patient faith and let God work on your behalf this week?

Day 4: Taste and See the Goodness of God

Experiencing God’s goodness is both a reason and a result of living by faith; as we trust Him, we discover again and again that He is better than anything else and faithful to provide for every need. Even when we feel undeserving, God pours out His mercy and kindness, inviting us to “taste and see” His goodness for ourselves. This childlike faith leads to gratitude, joy, and a deeper relationship with the One who never fails. [29:30]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Reflection: Think back on a time when God showed you His goodness in a way you didn’t expect. How can you “taste and see” His goodness afresh today, and share that testimony with someone else?

Day 5: Faith Expressed Through Prayer and Action

Faith is not just belief, but is made alive through prayer, obedience, and action—trusting God enough to step out, serve, and build His work even in the face of opposition. God calls His people to pray for themselves and others, to labor in love, and to keep moving forward, knowing that He will supply every need and that His church will prevail. When we combine faith with works, we become part of God’s ongoing story of redemption and revival in our communities. [34:33]

James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to put your faith into action—whether through prayer, service, or reaching out to someone in need?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of storms, trials, and seasons of waiting, but there is a sure anchor for the soul—Jesus Christ. When the winds and waves of life threaten to overwhelm, it is possible to rest in the mercy and power of the Savior, trusting that He is both able and willing to deliver. Faith is not just a concept for the easy days; it is the lifeline that sustains through the fiercest battles and the longest nights. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart, refusing to lean on your own understanding, and acknowledging Him in every way is the call for every believer. This is not always easy, especially when prayers seem unanswered and the waiting stretches on, but God’s faithfulness never fails.

Living by faith means learning to wait on God, to be still when every instinct says to act, and to trust that His timing is perfect. The story of Ruth reminds us that waiting on God’s instruction brings blessing, and that wisdom is found in patience and obedience. Faith is not passive; it is active, expressed in prayer, in perseverance, and in the willingness to keep moving forward even when the outcome is unclear. The goodness of God is a constant, even when circumstances are not. Reflecting on the past, it becomes clear that God has always been good, providing, protecting, and guiding, even when we did not deserve it.

Faith is also the foundation for building God’s work. The church is not built by human effort alone, but by faith in the God who calls, equips, and provides. Prayer is essential—not just for personal needs, but for the needs of others and for the stability and growth of the church. Faith without works is dead; it must be lived out in action, in service, and in love. There will be opposition, both from within and without, but the call is to keep hearts right, to refuse to gloss over struggles, and to let God deal deeply with the soul. Holiness, honesty, and surrender are required. Ultimately, living by faith is not just about what God can do for us, but about aligning our lives with what is right, because God Himself is right and sovereign.

Key Takeaways

1. Anchored in Christ Through Every Storm No matter how fierce the storms of life become, anchoring your soul in Jesus provides unshakeable security. The storms are not a sign of God’s absence, but an opportunity to experience His sustaining power and peace. When you look back over your life, you can see that every trial was met with God’s mercy and presence, proving that He is the anchor that holds. [03:29]
2. The Power and Necessity of Prayer Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline, but a lifeline that uplifts, strengthens, and connects us to God’s heart. Sometimes, unknown to us, others are interceding on our behalf, and God moves through the prayers of His people across distances and circumstances. Prayer is the means by which we invite God into our chaos, and it is often the difference between moving ahead in our own strength and waiting for God’s perfect deliverance. [12:46]
3. Faith Means Waiting and Trusting in God’s Timing Living by faith often requires waiting—sometimes for days, weeks, or even years—without seeing immediate answers. This waiting is not wasted; it is a refining process where God teaches us to trust Him beyond our understanding. Like Ruth, who waited patiently for God’s provision, we are called to sit still and let God work, knowing that His plans are always for our good and His glory. [25:31]
4. Faith Must Be Lived Out in Action and Service Faith is not merely belief, but is demonstrated in the way we serve, love, and build God’s work. The church grows and thrives not by our own efforts, but by trusting God and stepping out in obedience, even when resources seem scarce or opposition is strong. Faith without works is dead; it is in the doing—praying, serving, giving, and loving—that faith becomes alive and effective. [34:33]
5. Holiness and Honesty Before God It is possible to go through the motions of religion and still miss the heart of God. True faith requires honesty—letting God deal with the real issues of the heart, refusing to gloss over sin or pain, and surrendering to His conviction and correction. Holiness is not a veneer, but a deep work of God in the soul, and living by faith means continually aligning with what is right, because God is always right. [53:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Anchored in Jesus: The Song and Its Meaning
[03:29] - Reflecting on Life’s Storms and God’s Anchor
[12:46] - The Power of Prayer and Intercession
[13:27] - Living by Faith: Romans 1 and Proverbs 3
[15:28] - Trusting God When It Doesn’t Make Sense
[19:01] - Christians and the Reality of Trials
[21:15] - Giving Your Battles to God
[23:58] - The Danger of Moving Ahead of God
[25:31] - Lessons from Ruth: Waiting on God
[29:30] - God’s Goodness Through the Years
[31:47] - Building God’s Work by Faith
[34:33] - Faith in Action: Serving and Reaching Others
[36:59] - The Church Built on the Rock
[39:09] - The Presence of God: Our True Comfort
[41:46] - Reaching Out for God’s Touch
[42:26] - Living by Faith in the Face of Opposition
[45:01] - Standing Firm Against Temptation
[46:45] - Righteousness and Conviction
[49:17] - God’s Call and Conviction
[51:12] - The Goodness of Being with God
[53:51] - Holiness, Honesty, and Getting Real with God
[54:46] - Surrendering to God’s Will

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 1:17 (ESV) — > For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) — > Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ruth 3:18 (ESV) — > She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Observation Questions

According to Romans 1:17, what is revealed through the gospel, and how are the righteous called to live?
In Proverbs 3:5-6, what are the three instructions given for trusting God, and what is the promised result?
In the story of Ruth, what specific advice does Naomi give Ruth in Ruth 3:18, and what does this reveal about waiting on God? [25:31]
The sermon mentions that storms and trials are not a sign of God’s absence. What evidence from the sermon supports this idea? [03:29]

Interpretation Questions

The phrase “the righteous shall live by faith” is repeated in both the Old and New Testaments. What does it mean for a believer to “live by faith” in everyday life, especially during difficult seasons? [13:27]
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our own understanding. Why is it often difficult to do this, and what are some real-life situations where this is especially challenging? [15:28]
The sermon uses Ruth’s story to illustrate the blessing of waiting on God. What are some dangers of “moving ahead of God” as described in the sermon, and how can waiting be an act of faith? [23:58]
The sermon says, “Faith without works is dead; it is in the doing—praying, serving, giving, and loving—that faith becomes alive and effective.” How does this connect to James 2:17, and what does it look like in the life of a church? [34:33]

Application Questions

Think about a recent “storm” or trial in your life. How did you respond—did you try to fix it on your own, or did you anchor yourself in Christ? What would it look like to “rest upon his mercy” next time? [03:29]
The sermon highlights the power of prayer, even when we don’t know who is praying for us. Is there someone you feel led to pray for this week, even if you don’t know all their needs? How can you make intercession a regular part of your faith? [12:46]
Are you currently in a season of waiting for God to answer a prayer or provide direction? What does it look like for you to “sit still” and trust God’s timing, as Ruth did? What practical steps can you take to wait in faith rather than in frustration? [25:31]
The message warns against “moving too fast” and stepping out of God’s will. Can you recall a time when you acted before praying or seeking God’s guidance? What did you learn from that experience? [23:58]
The sermon says, “Faith must be lived out in action and service.” What is one specific way you can serve someone in your church or community this week as an expression of your faith? [34:33]
The pastor challenges us to be honest with God and not just “gloss over” our struggles. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been pretending everything is okay? What would it look like to let God “deal deeply with your soul” in that area? [53:51]
Holiness and surrender are described as requirements for living by faith. Is there something you need to surrender to God right now? What is holding you back from full surrender, and how can your small group support you in this? [54:46]

Sermon Clips

``You got to keep on keeping on. You can't quit one foot in front of the other. Jesus Christ, the drill instructor. Laugh, ride, laugh. Come on, soldier. Keep on keeping on. Keep your feet in front of the other until we get to glory. [00:20:52] (22 seconds) #HopeBeyondTheStorm

This too shall pass. It doesn't matter how hard it seems. It doesn't matter how dark tonight. Keep on keeping on. There's a rainbow in the sky over there. If you keep on keeping on through that dark tunnel, soon you'll see the light, the light of the world. Jesus Christ waiting at the end of it with his open arms, waiting to receive you, my son, my daughter. [00:21:32] (34 seconds) #CastYourCaresOnGod

He said, cast all your cares upon me for our care for you. So many times we're just thinking on the battle. We forget to give him the battle. Have you given that thing to God? We're not talking about glossing it over either. We're not just talking about smiling. You know, we could be Christian. but we're not working on the battle. [00:22:31] (29 seconds) #WaitForGodsTiming

We must learn to live by faith in the midst of a light storm. Listen to this, and sometimes we don't think about this until maybe we hear a song or something, until maybe we get our paycheck or something, and then we get to thinking, but we should be thinking this every day, living by faith because of his goodness. God is good how? How much? All the time. [00:27:01] (30 seconds) #GodIsBetterThanAll

You may meet many good people and have many good friends and associates and even have many good things in our life, but there is nobody better than God. Nobody better than God. We can search. We can just begin to search our lives and think of all the things that God has done for us today, yesterday, yesterday, last week, last month, last year, years ago, as you were a child growing up, and your mother and your family had to take care of you, and through all our lives to testify of the goodness of God. [00:28:06] (45 seconds) #ChildlikeFaithEndures

We have that childlike faith in him. Because if he has been good to us, we believe that he will be good to us again and again and again. We know we don't deserve it, but he just keeps on pouring it out. On our lives. We trusted him because if he brought us out of something before, he would bring us out of something else again. [00:29:30] (36 seconds) #PrayerRevivalPower

Faith is one of the things that makes it happen. Trust is one of the things that make it happen to believe what he will do in the lives and hearts of men and women. It's not us. It's God. If we sit and do nothing, the city and this area will die and we are not exhibiting any type of faith towards God. That's when James said that faith without works is dead. [00:33:41] (32 seconds) #JesusWorksForTheFlock

It's important to know the Word of God so you can fight the enemy of your soul. It's important to have a relationship with God. It's important to be able, when you pray, to feel the very presence and peace of God. Sometimes you can't get the comfort from a movie. Sometimes you can't get the comfort from your husband. Sometimes you can't get the comfort from sex. Sometimes you can't get the comfort from a hobby. Sometimes you can't get the comfort from food. You need the presence of God to feel and comfort and feed your soul. [00:39:18] (49 seconds) #KnownIntimatelyByGod

We're not talking about glossing it over. We're not talking about smiling. We're not talking about keep on running from the battle. Some of y 'all been running from the battle for years now. How long y 'all going to run? When you're going to face that thing, stop glossing it over, smiling like it's okay. It's not okay. God's digging. God's digging. The Holy Ghost is dealing Sunday after Sunday, Bible reading after Bible reading, prayer meeting after prayer meeting, service after service, event after event. When you're going to get right with the living God? [00:52:21] (48 seconds) #PursuePeaceInHoliness

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does living by faith require during trials?

How does patience in waiting strengthen Christian trust?

Why is prayer essential in maintaining spiritual resilience?