26 Bible Verses About Stepping Out In Faith
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Use these Bible verses about stepping out in faith to be inspired to have the courage to take the steps of obedience to listen & respond to God’s leading in your life.
Do you long to step out in faith to follow God’s leading in your life but aren’t sure where to start? As we pursue living the Christian life, we are called to put our faith into action as we make daily decisions in our lives that reflect how the gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed our lives.
As we spend time in prayer and reading God’s Word, He will be faithful to reveal to you through the Holy Spirit the plans and the purposes that He has for your life. We must be intentional about seeking the will of God in our lives because it is very easy to let the cares of this world distract us from God’s desires for us. However, He longs to speak to His children and loves to reveal Himself to us when we spend time with Him.
As you gain wisdom to discern what things God may be calling you to do in your life, it is important to then take steps of faith to follow God’s leading. Faith without works is dead, so it is important to follow the voice of God even when He is calling you to step outside your comfort zone. God will reward you abundantly as you learn to trust in Him.
As you obediently follow His voice to fulfill His good and perfect will for your life, you will be amazed at how your walk with Him is transformed and your faith deepened. God will do amazing things in and through your life, allowing you to shine the light of Christ as His love, joy, and grace are manifest in your heart and soul.
May God equip you with these Bible verses about stepping out in faith to fulfill God’s will and calling in your life. May God do great things in your faith journey with Him as you trust in His voice to lead the way.
Bible Verses About Stepping Out In Faith
1. Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is Confidence in What We Hope For and Assurance About What We Do Not See
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
The very definition of faith is that which we wholeheartedly believe to be true because of what God has said and who we know Him to be. Our hope is based on what Christ has accomplished for us through the cross, gifting us with the grace to have faith and securing an eternal inheritance that can never be revoked.
The steadfast love of the Lord which is continually at work in our lives is what gives us the confidence to boldly step out in faith.
We have the assurance that God loves us, is always with us, is always working through us for good and His glory, and is also completely faithful to fulfill every one of His promises to us. These are the assurances that allow us to walk faithfully concerning the things that we do not see, trusting completely in God and surrendering our entire lives for God’s holy purposes.
God has chosen you to be His child and to shine His glorious light into the world. As you seek God with all your heart and soul and strength, He will give you the faith you need to live the life to which you are called. Trust in Him; He is faithful.
2. Romans 1:17 – The Righteous Will Live By Faith
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:17
We proclaim the righteousness of God as we declare the gospel of Jesus Christ through our lives. We have been saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus who gave His life to redeem us from our sins. When we were saved, we were justified by God and declared to be righteous, cleansed from our sinful nature. As those who have been made righteous, we live by faith alone.
As you step forward in faith, you are declaring that you belong to Christ and that God determines your steps as you follow Him. You do not have to work to muster up enough faith to prove you are a good Christian. Instead, faith is a gift from God that you merely receive. Then, keep your eyes on Christ, the Author and Perfecter of your faith.
As you put your faith into action, the righteousness of God is proclaimed and the power of the Spirit is manifest in powerful ways. May your life be enriched and your love for God be deepened as He reveals how you, His beloved, can be obedient to live by faith.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – We Live By Faith, Not Sight
For we live by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7
I encourage you to preach this truth to your mind and spirit over and over again. This promise declares the foundation of how we are to live out the Christian life. Although I am very familiar with this verse, I continually have to remind myself not to give in to fears, doubts, and insecurities based on what I can see with my eyes.
Instead, I cause myself to call to mind the faithfulness of God, His extravagant love, His power, His goodness, that He is always with me, and that His grace is sufficient for me. This is the basis of my faith in Christ, and as I meditate upon God He gives me the confidence to take that step of faith. I press onward not in my own strength, but trusting in what Christ has accomplished within me.
As God continues to prove Himself faithful to do more than I could ever imagine through my meager faith (sometimes just that of a mustard seed), God transforms my life and it becomes easier and more natural to step out in faith the next time. As you seek God first in everything you do, He will show you how to trust in Him more completely and live by faith.
4. Matthew 17:20 – With Faith As Small As a Mustard Seed, Nothing is Impossible
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20
Sometimes I become intimidated when I think of mighty acts of faith of others, whether it is stories in the Bible or testimonies of others in the Body of Christ. This verse brings me great comfort when I remember that it is not about how big my faith is, but what God can do with even the smallest bit of faith I offer to Him. God can literally move mountains with faith as small as a mustard seed, a tiny seed only 1-2 mm in diameter.
God is the One who provides us with faith, and if we are willing to declare that God is powerful enough to do anything you ask, your mountain will move and nothing will be impossible for you. With God, absolutely anything is possible no matter how improbable or impossible it seems to those around you.
In addition, trust God to give you just the right amount of faith for the task He is calling you to accomplish. I love the story in Mark 9:17-29 in which a father is asking Jesus to heal his possessed son and proclaims, “I do believe. Help my unbelief!” Jesus heals the boy with the small amount of faith that Father offered to Him.
We should always desire that Jesus deepens our faith in Him, but we still humbly offer Him the little faith we do have in expectation that God will accomplish exactly what is needed. Give thanks to God for giving you faith as small as a mustard seed, watching Him move mountains in your life.
5. Isaiah 6:8 – Be Willing to Say, “Here Am I. Send Me!”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8
Stepping out in faith begins with a heart that is totally sold out to Christ, surrendering our entire lives to Him with a willingness to go wherever He is calling you to go and do anything He is calling you to do. As you learn to love the Lord your God with all of your heart and mind and soul and strength, God will begin to change the desires of your heart to seek what He desires from your life.
As you pursue God and fall more in love with Him, He will reveal the purposes and plans He has for your life. As we glimpse the spectacular love, grace, joy, mercy, compassion, holiness, righteousness, and transcendence of God, our fears and doubts will subside as we eagerly run into the loving arms of Jesus.
Isaiah had just fallen on his face in worship after glimpsing the full glory and holiness of God when he heard God asking him “Whom shall I send?” Without hesitation, Isaiah declares “Here am I. Send me!” As we say yes to God, He will take us by the hand and beckon us to follow Him as we obediently take steps of faith upon His path. Faith is the motivation as Jesus, our Great Shepherd, leads the way and continues to encourage us along the journey.
Scriptures On Having Courage & Trusting God
6. 1 Chronicles 28:20 – Be Strong and Courageous; He Will Not Fail You or Forsake You
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. – 1 Chronicles 28:20
God commands us multiple times throughout Scripture to be strong and courageous. I think God must know how desperately we need this encouragement and how susceptible we are to feeling weak, timid, and incapable. However, it is important to realize that we cannot just magically muster up courage in our human abilities.
The source of our strength and courage is knowing that the Lord God is with us. It is faith in His abilities to overcome any obstacle that prevents us from becoming afraid or discouraged. He cannot fail because He is God. He will not leave us or forsake us. Since the Holy Spirit lives within us, the very power of God is manifest within us and His mighty strength works through us.
As we keep our eyes fixed on our good, glorious, loving God, we become strong and courageous. By faith, we do the work God is calling us to complete, obedient to the call He has placed on our lives to fulfill His will for our lives. God will be faithful to complete the work that He began in you, and I pray that you will glorify God as you give thanks to Him for the strength and courage that rose up within you to accomplish great things.
7. 2 Timothy 1:7 – The Spirit Gives Us Power, Love, and Self-Discipline
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7
Although leaving our comfort zones into the unknown can allow fears and doubts to enter our minds, the Spirit of God within us gives us power, love, and self-discipline in order to be victorious in Christ and overcome any obstacles. This means that you do not have to be timid or discouraged about where the path ahead leads.
Instead, you can step forward in courage and boldness, confident that the power of the Spirit will rest upon you and give you inexhaustible strength. The love of God will empower you to demonstrate joy, kindness, patience, and compassion through your faith journey. And God will equip you with the discipline and self-control to overcome any temptation or lies that the enemy tries to use to distract or discourage you.
You are fully capable through the work of God’s Holy Spirit within you to step out in faith with the courage needed to fulfill God’s Will for your life. Rely on the gifts of God in your life and then boast of what our great God accomplishes through you.
8. Psalm 28:7 – The Lord Is Your Strength and Shield; Trust In Him For He Helps You
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7
God gives us every imaginable reason to trust in Him as we desire to boldly follow Him wherever He leads. Not only does He possess immeasurable power and strength (remember, He created all of the heavens and earth out of nothing), but He also promises to be our protector, defender, deliverer, strong refuge, mighty fortress, hiding place, and the Rock of our salvation. He overcame the power of all sin and death by conquering the grave; do you not think He can do this small thing for you?
Because of the absolute greatness of our God, we can fully trust in Him. He promises to help you along each step of your journey with Him. By faith, trust that He will fulfill His promises and will continually be with you. God is delighted to help you, protect you, and provide for you because His love for you is all-consuming and He enjoys allowing you to rest in His arms as a daughter of the King as He gives you the victory by faith in all these things.
As you fully embrace how complete the Father’s love is for you and how passionately He is to protect you and provide for you, may your heart leap for joy at the greatness of our God who has chosen you as His child and will always be with you as you step out in faith. With songs of worship, a heart of gratitude, and excitement in your heart about how the Lord is at work in your heart and in the world around you, surrender your whole life to Him once more and excitedly anticipate the journey that is before you as you step out in faith.
9. Psalm 143:8 – God Reminds You of His Unfailing Love For You Have Put Your Trust in Him
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8
We can trust in the Lord with all of our hearts not just because we believe as Christians that it is the right thing to do, but because God has shown us His unfailing love for us time and time again and He has proved that He is faithful and is trustworthy. Every single morning God reaffirms His promise to love us with an undeserved, everlasting love. If God delights in us and is all-powerful, then we can trust that He will always be for us and will always be fighting for our good.
Placing our full trust in God means giving Him complete control over the direction of our lives, and seeking to fulfill His will for our lives in every step we take. As we acknowledge Him in every thought, desire, and plan we have for our lives, He will make our paths straight. This does not indicate the fastest way to get somewhere or the road that avoids all obstacles and speed bumps, but the “straight” road is the right, godly way that leads to true life and remarkable joy.
While many of us long to live out God’s will in our lives, it is not always easy to know how to achieve that goal. The psalmist reminds us that as we take the first step of trust and surrender to God, He will honor that step of faith and will show us the way we should go. We are to wait on God for wisdom and guidance, but He will gently lead us along the journey of faith as we continue to fix our eyes on Him and follow His voice.
10. Romans 8:31-34 – If God is For You, Who Can Be Against You?
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. – Romans 8:31-34
This is the greatest reason of all that we can have the courage and strength to accomplish whatever God has placed in our lives. In fact, just a few verses later, Paul reminds us that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus who loved us. If God is on your side, fighting on your behalf, what could possibly get in your way? As long as you are seeking to be obedient to God in the goals you want to achieve, God will clear the way and all things will be possible for you.
God is good; He loves you abundantly as His beloved child; and He wants you to gloriously shine His light into all the world through your surrendered life. Ponder the intensity of God’s love for you. While you were still a sinner, rebelling against Him and forsaking His attempts to reach you, God did not spare the life of His only precious, beloved Son but allowed Christ to give His very life for your salvation. If the love of God drove Him to this sacrificial act to be reunited with you, how would He not graciously give you every other thing you need for your journey.
He will give you the faith, courage, direction, material resources, people to help you, unique opportunities to utilize, new adventures to behold, wisdom, the right motivation, and the ability to obey. God will give you everything you need as you trust Him and take the step of faith. Ultimately, of course, God gives You Himself to accompany you along the journey to hold your hand, and whisper promises of truth and encouragement and inspiration when you need it most.
God will never leave or abandon you. Not only this, but Jesus is interceding for you at all times, praying on your behalf directly to the throne of God. With all these things working on your behalf, you will overcome all things by faith and enjoy a journey with God you will never forget as you walk in obedience to His call upon your life.
Bible Verses On Listening To God’s Voice & Calling On Your Life
11. Isaiah 30:21 – Your Ears Will Hear A Voice Behind You, Saying, “This Is the Way; Walk In It.”
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21
I know that one of my biggest fears, as I try to live my life according to God’s plans, is that I will inadvertently take a detour based on my own goals and desires, veering off from the path that God has specifically designed for my life. However, Isaiah promises the people of Jerusalem that God will make sure that we hear His voice directing us exactly where we are to go. We are told that if we start drifting one way or the other, that gentle, assuring voice will whisper into our ears through all the noise, “No, place your foot here. Walk this way.”
One of the greatest assurances God gives us as we endeavor to step forward in faith in obedience to His plans for us is this: think of everything God had to overcome just to place this dream in your heart and convince you to boldly trust that this really is what He wants for your life. He first made salvation possible through the death of Christ. Then He graciously captured your faith in Him, allowed you to fall in love with Him, taught you how to follow Him rather than the ways of the world, and equipped you with the faith and spiritual gifts to be able to carry out His will.
He is not about to abandon you or let you walk down the wrong path now. You have the Holy Spirit in you speaking truths to your spirit; Jesus is lovingly rooting for you and interceding for you at every turn; and the Father God is guiding, leading, directing your every step with wisdom and joy and approval in His heart. All you have to do is listen for that familiar voice filled with such mercy and gentleness and then call upon God’s promises to give you the strength to walk out God’s instructions with trust and obedience.
12. Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to God For Answers To the Things You Do Not Know
“‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” – Jeremiah 33:3
There are times as we journey through this life when we get to a juncture where we are confused and just don’t know which way to turn. At times, God might be saying “Wait on me” and just rest here in this beautiful respite I have created just for you. The struggle is that as humans we often just don’t have the insight to know what lies down the road; sometimes there are several options that all seem good and it is hard to know how to move forward.
But take heart! These are the times when God seems to move in the most miraculous ways. Fortunately, we have a God that is all-seeing and all-knowing, and there is absolutely nothing that confuses Him. He goes before us, comes behind us, and lives within us. He calmly assures us not to worry.
He has You firmly in the palm of His hand where you are safe and secure, and just says, “Call to Me and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jesus reminds us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that all we have to do is look to Him for answers and then submit to the wisdom and understanding God provides.
We must surrender our approach to the ways of God, trusting that He knows best. God will not abandon us to try to figure things out on our own. That is the last thing He wants us to do – withdrawing from Him to try to determine an answer based on our own human strength. We are told in James 1 that if we ask God for wisdom and do not doubt, that He will always give it to us.
While all of this sounds awfully good, how do we actually accomplish it practically in our lives? I think the absolute first thing to do is to stop and pray. Truly believe that God will answer you in unexpected ways and be open to the different ways God may be trying to communicate with you.
Another critical step is to get into the Word of God. Study what Jesus taught, about what other Christians did when facing a similar scenario, read a Psalm that helps you worship God and bow down to His greatness and authority, etc. You will be surprised how powerfully God will use Scripture to speak straight to your heart about your situation.
Finally, I think God has ordained the Christian community to have a powerful role during these challenging times. Ask for wisdom, insights, and special verses, but most especially find time to pray with a small group seeking God for answers. God’s Spirit may confirm a direction or lead you into a totally unexpected place, but when we all bring our gifts together for the unity of seeking God’s direction, God often shows up in very powerful ways.
And lastly, remember that there are times when our passion and zeal cause us to long to press forward, but God may be asking you to patiently wait upon Him. Perhaps there is still work He has to do in your soul, or maybe He is protecting you from an unforeseen danger. Waiting seasons are sometimes the hardest but God is still going to use your life to fulfill your holy calling for His glory.
The Lord hears you, sees you, and responds to your cry. Trust in Him, whether He is calling you to run the race with endurance or hope in Him as you wait for further directions. You are God’s child and He loves to reveal great and unsearchable things to you that only His beloved are privileged to know. Steward that wisdom well as you seek how to continue walking forward in the faith He has graciously given you.
13. John 10:2-4 – The Shepherd’s Sheep Follow Him Because They Know His Voice
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow Him because they know His voice. – John 10:2-4
There are several metaphors in the Bible about us being the sheep of our tender Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Regardless of the different lessons we can learn from this metaphor, the bottom line in this teaching is that the sheep are well-acquainted with their Shepherd’s voice and they follow Him everywhere. This gives us great comfort as we try to discern Jesus’ voice from all the other influences that distract us in the world today, but our inner spirit immediately recognizes when God is talking.
As we pursue God’s calling in our lives, it is important to seek spending time with Him above all the other obligations of the day in order to hear Him in the quiet of our souls. This can be quite challenging when we have meals to prepare, kids to get to school, and laundry to finish.
But talking to Him about our lives, truths we are learning, and questions we have while we go about our days is still communing with Him as long as we have some time just to hear from Him. It can be reflecting on a Bible verse over lunch, praying before bedtime, or a quiet devo/journaling time at the start of the day. These are the times when we become acquainted with the Lord’s voice and He with ours.
While God speaks in many different ways and each of you has your own story about how God revealed His calling upon your life, God is excited to continue to share Himself with you as you seek His voice and His leading with each step of faith you take as you boldly place your confidence in Him to direct your steps. And truly hearing the voice of God is one of the most life-transforming experiences we ever have had the joy to experience on this earth. God is calling you by name!
14. John 16:13-14 – The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You Into All the Truth
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that He will receive what He will make known to you. – John 16:13-14
As believers, we have a tremendous advantage over all those who believed in God before the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Christ ascended into heaven, He gave us the indwelling Holy Spirit that would forever live inside of us, speaking truths from God the Father into our hearts. As we seek to know how God is leading, we must trust that the Spirit of God is conveying His truths and reminding us of His Words that will grant us a spiritual understanding of the decisions we face.
The words the Spirit speaks into our lives are the very words Jesus would be telling us if we were asking Him those same questions face to face. Not only does the Holy Spirit provide us with direction from the Father, but He is also interceding for us when we do not know what to pray. The Spirit that is with us at all times gives us that ever-present loving connection to both Jesus and our glorious Father God.
As we seek wisdom and guidance along the path that God has designed for our lives, may we be full of gratitude and worship at the miraculous ways that God continues to provide and protect our lives as we long to follow Him no matter where He goes. Thanks be to the grace and power that rests on our lives through the Spirit as we pursue a life of faith-filled steps, honoring and glorifying Him in all we say and do.
15. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-Breathed
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible is one of the most powerful weapons that God has given us through which God speaks directly to our hearts, provides spiritual wisdom, and reminds us of His promises that declare truths that guide us as we respond to His calling in our lives. Although the words were transcribed by hand-selected men, we are reminded that Scripture is breathed by the Spirit of God.
They are inspired words anointed by the Lord God to be used for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (or “right living”). These words are specifically chosen to renew your mind and transform your heart so that you, the servant of God, may be thoroughly equipped for every good work by which the light of Christ will shine through your life.
In Hebrews 4:12, Paul goes on to explain that the word of God is alive and active. It is actively moving in your life, empowered by the Holy Spirit to breathe life into your soul, reviving your spirit, and judging the attitudes of your heart. The Word of God brings revelation to your spiritual journey as you suddenly realize God is providing an open door for you to walk through, as you gain insight into sinful motivations in your heart, or as God reveals a new aspect of your identity in Christ you had never considered before.
In all these things, God speaks boldly and clearly through His Word in Scripture. Use the truths He whispers to your heart as the fuel and strength to walk forward in obedience, pursuing the purposes He has specifically placed in your heart and spirit. When you start to feel weary or confused or fearful, remember these powerful words He has placed within you to be used as the Sword of the Spirit as you march onward, confident that the victory is yours in Christ Jesus.
Bible Verses On Taking Steps Of Obedience
16. 1 John 5:2-4 – Love for God is To Keep His Commands
In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. – 1 John 5:2-4
As we learn to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths, part of our love offering is not just to seek Him above all things but to also respond in obedience when He reveals His will to us. To live the Christian life, there are commands throughout Scripture that involve action, such as: go, live, pray, preach, teach, feed, meet, love, give, etc.
Although God’s calling on your life may not include one of these specific words, it is important to respond to God by heeding His voice and by faith stepping out to follow His instructions. All we have to do is step out in faith, holding onto His hands, trusting that He is the One that has to produce the results. God always rewards an act of faith-filled obedience to Him, regardless of the outcome, and it honors Him to no end.
We are reflecting the powerful love of God that has transformed our lives as we step out in obedience to Him. This is a humble act of worship before His throne as we fully submit our lives to Him and acknowledge that He is trustworthy and completely worthy of the faith that we are displaying through our attempts to keep His commands. May God be praised!
John also reminds us in this verse that His commands are not burdensome. There are times when the task ahead does seem impossible, but remember that you are just responsible for that small step of obedience. God will do the rest! Not only this, but all of us who have accepted Christ as Lord have overcome the world because we are born again as a new creation in Christ.
Let us obey God and show the world how much we love our great God.
17. Matthew 7:24-27 – Putting Jesus’ Words into Practice is Like a Wise Man Building House on Rock
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus loved to use analogies as He was teaching people about spiritual principles. Here He describes that actually putting His words into practice is like building a house upon a rock with a solid foundation. When the rains come down and we encounter the storms of life, even the fiercest winds and waves will not cause the house to fall.
The teachings of God instruct us on how to love others well, live by faith, trust and honor God, embrace wisdom, value others, and seek God first in all we say and do. The precepts of God point us to living the full and abundant life that we were created to live. However, none of these words will impact our lives if we do not put them into practice daily. This is exactly what happened to the foolish man who built his house on the sand, and everything washed away when the first raindrop began to fall.
Let us follow the path of Jesus as we seek to follow His leading, obey His words, and take those steps of faith toward Him as we put one foot in front of the other toward the glorious plans and purposes He has for our lives. Trust that God will steady your footsteps as you take each step into the unknown. God will meet you exactly where you are and He will ensure that the foundation upon which you step is solid as a rock.
When storms come your way, know without a doubt that you are standing on solid ground that will never shift or sway. What assurance we have in Christ as we step forward in faith and courage toward the promises He has whispered in love and tenderness to us.
18. John 15:10-11 – If You Keep My Commands, You Will Remain in My Love
If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. – John 15:10-11
Jesus doesn’t give us commands to follow or instructions to obey just to exert His authority or to give us impossible tasks that we could never complete. The words God speaks to us are given out of complete love and adoration for us because He longs for us to experience life and intimacy with Him in a way we never thought possible. Just as Jesus modeled a life of obedience by carrying out the commands God the Father gave His beloved Son, we too are to seek to fulfill all of Jesus’ commands out of a desire to love Him and serve Him with our whole lives.
As we step out in faith to pursue a life of godly obedience, God will bless our lives in unimaginable ways as we experience new depths of His love for us that we never thought possible. Although initially it may feel like we are making huge sacrifices to obey God through challenging acts of faith, God rewards our efforts to trust in Him by blessing our lives with deeper faith and intimacy with our Savior in ways that far outweigh the difficulties we endured. God is incredibly faithful and the love He pours into our lives empowers us to do far more than we ever thought possible.
In addition, Jesus tells us that the result of following His commands is that the joy of Christ will dwell in us and our joy will be complete. Who doesn’t want to have more joy in their lives? The plans that God is calling you to fulfill in your life should not feel like a burden or some difficult spiritual test you have to pass. Instead, God’s calling on your life is an amazing opportunity to experience His joy on a deeper level every single day.
We serve an amazing God who not only has remarkably good things in store for your life but also longs to bless you with divine love and exuberant joy as you seek to carry out the plans He has for your life. Hallelujah!
19. Philippians 2:12-13 – God Works In You to Fulfill His Good Purpose
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. – Philippians 2:12-13
As Paul is writing this letter to the Philippian church, it is clear that obedience to the faith is absolutely central to what it means to live the Christian life. Although it is essential to receive salvation by accepting Christ as Lord, the real work begins as we seek to reflect our salvation by obeying the teachings of Christ in the way we live our lives every single day. Paul is not suggesting that our salvation is due to works but is indicating that our lives should reflect that we have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The great news is that you do not have to strive in your own strength to conjure up enough faith to fulfill God’s purposes in your life. While you must be willing to cooperate with what God is leading you to do, He is the One working within your heart and spirit to give you the desire and motivation to fulfill His good purpose. As you seek to honor God with awe and reverence in your faith journey, He is the One who will provide everything you need to walk in obedience to Him and fulfill His purposes for your life.
Continue to submit and surrender to Christ as your precious Redeemer and He will make clear how to order your life so that you are carrying out the things God has called you to do. Our faith journey is often not a straight path, but we have the most loving and tender Shepherd to guide us along our journey. Allow God to transform your heart for His glory, and then trust that He will give you everything you need to follow in His footsteps to accomplish His will.
20. Hebrews 13:20-21 – May God Equip You With Everything Good For Doing His Will
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. – Hebrews 13:20-21
Often the word obedience carries very negative overtones, conjuring up images of a disobedient child being punished by a parent or a taskmaster brutally enforcing submission. However, that is not at all what God desires when He calls us to be obedient to His ways or His calling on our lives. Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
God’s purposes for you are absolutely for your good and through them, God gives you a hope and a glorious future. Therefore, as you consider trying to move forward in obedience to the calling God has placed on your life, know that His overwhelming love and abundant grace will embrace you along each step of your journey. Trust that God has already equipped you with absolutely everything good that you will need to fulfill His purposes for your life.
I pray that as you journey to follow God’s will in your life you will rest in the gentle guidance of Jesus Christ as your gentle Shepherd, continually calling you with His voice that you recognize. I pray you will trust Him to equip you with courage, confidence, strength, and enduring faith for your journey, and I pray that you will rejoice with adoration as He works in you what is pleasing to Him, glorifying God and you shine the light of Christ in unique ways to the world around you.
I believe that you will overcome every obstacle as you demonstrate that you are more than a conqueror in Christ. May each act of obedience deepen your faith and give you increasing confidence in who you are in Christ. May your life be transformed as you live out the gospel in your life, and may Jesus Christ receive all the glory for your acts of faith and obedience as you trust in Him with all of your heart. Amen.
Bible Verses With Examples Of People Who Stepped Out In Faith
21. Hebrews 11:17-19 – ABRAHAM
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. – Hebrews 11:17-19
When we mention heroes of the faith in the Bible, Abraham is often one of the first examples that comes to mind. He trusted God to fulfill promises made to him, displaying tremendous faith when these promises seemed humanly impossible.
He first trusted God’s promise that he would receive an inheritance, even though it was to a place where he did not know he was going. Then he trusted that God would give them a child, even though his wife Sarah was well beyond childbearing age (age 90) and Abraham was 100 years old. And so Isaac was born as the miracle child from God, through whom Abraham would become the father of many descendants.
But Abraham’s faith would be tested yet again by God (the full story is found in Genesis 22). God asked Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac and sacrifice him on top of Mt. Moriah as a burnt offering to God. There is no evidence that Abraham hesitated or questioned God’s request, but set off with Isaac, who carried the wood for the offering.
When Isaac innocently asked where the lamb was for the offering, Abraham answered that God would provide the lamb. How true this statement was! After Abraham had tied down Isaac onto the wood of the altar and was bringing down the knife to kill his son, an angel of the Lord suddenly called Abraham’s name and told him not to harm the boy. The angel reported that since he had not even withheld his only son, Abraham had proved that he feared God.
There was a ram provided with its horns caught in the thicket nearby for the sacrifice and Abraham named the place The Lord Will Provide (Jehovah Jireh). Although this is a radical example of genuine faith, do you trust that God will provide for you no matter what He asks you to do? Do you believe that even if the task makes no sense He is calling you to do something that will bless you and will also bless the world in His name? Claim the promise that your God is also your Jehovah Jireh.
22. Esther 4:15-16 – ESTHER
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:15-16
The story of Esther is an unlikely story of faith, but we can learn a lot from the courage she demonstrated. Esther lived during the Jewish exile in which Persia was the reigning superpower of the ancient world. When the Persian king, King Xerxes, was searching for a wife Esther found favor with him because of her beauty, but she had to keep her Jewish heritage a secret to spare her life.
After learning about a plot by one of the king’s high officials, Haman, to have all the Jews in Persia killed, she urged all of the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance. Then she risked her own life by inviting a king and Haman to a banquet during which time she unveiled her Jewish heritage and made known the plot to kill all the Jews. The king was enraged and ordered Haman to be hung.
Esther’s brave actions saved the entire Jewish race from being annihilated and caused them to be granted protection throughout the land. The joyous festival of Purim was initiated by the Jews to celebrate God’s tremendous deliverance of His people from death. Esther stepped out in faith, believing that she had been granted favor with the king “for such a time as this.”
May we trust that God can do miraculous things through our lives as we offer the specific roles God has placed us in as a means to glorify Him. As we embrace God’s will for our lives, we may be required to make personal sacrifices– dreams, goals, material blessings, etc– in order to fulfill God’s good purposes for our lives. May the life of Esther encourage us to bravely surrender all that we are for the sake of God’s call.
23. Matthew 14:25-32 – PETER
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14:25-32
Peter, one of Jesus’ first disciples, also displayed great faith when he walked upon the water to meet Jesus. I particularly like this example of faith because while Peter took some bold first steps of faith, he also showed how quickly fear can enter in even in the midst of great faith. I think it is encouraging to remember that even the faithful men and women of the Bible often do not live out their faiths flawlessly, and yet God’s mercy and grace still reach down to rescue them and use their lives in mighty ways.
The story of Peter walking on the water interestingly takes place immediately after the great miracle in which Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus had instructed the disciples to get into the boat and cross the Sea of Galilee while He stayed on the mountainside to pray. The wind and the waves grew very rough and the disciples were struggling to control the boat.
A few hours later, Jesus walks out toward them on the water. Thinking it was a ghost, they cried out in fear. Jesus responds by telling them not to be afraid, assuring them it was Him. Peter insists that if it is really Jesus to have him walk upon the water toward Him. Jesus tells him, “Come.” Peter walked upon the water, but when he saw the wind and waves he became afraid and started to sink.
Peter cries out to Jesus for help, declaring “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reaches out His hand to save Peter, inquiring why Peter had so little faith and started to doubt. As soon as Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat, the wind died down and the seas became calm. The scene ended as everyone in the boat began to worship Jesus and openly professed that Jesus truly was the Son of God.
As you think about what it looks like to step out in faith in your own life, remember that Peter was equipped with enough faith to do what seemed like an impossible task– to walk on water. As long as his eyes were focused on Jesus, his faith drew him toward the loving arms of Jesus. It was only when, for a second, Peter glanced at the wind and waves storming around him, allowing fear based on his circumstances to overwhelm him and causing him to sink.
Although we may be quick to judge Peter for starting to doubt, note that the first thing Peter does is to turn his focus back to Christ as he calls out, “Lord, save me!” Peter does not try to swim back to shore or call for the disciples to come save him with the boat. He knows who has the power to rescue and redeem him and immediately calls out for help, prompting Jesus to lovingly reach out His hand and prevent him from drowning.
If there are times when the storms of life are raging around you despite your attempts to walk by faith, call upon the name of Jesus and believe that He will deliver you. Keep your gaze fixed upon the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Jesus loves you and longs to see you confidently walk out your faith and obedience to God.
He wants to see you accomplish God’s will for your life and is walking by your side to encourage you and rescue you from the storms that threaten to engulf you. Allow Him to be your refuge as you increasingly trust and rest in the goodness of God.
24. Mark 5:25-34 – BLEEDING WOMAN
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?”
“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” – Mark 5:25-34
Sometimes the greatest acts of faith come not from the celebrated forefathers of our faith but from the least of these who came to Jesus desperate for a miracle in their lives. This is the case in the story of a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. We do not even learn her name from this story told by Mark.
However, we know she was desperate for healing and relief from her condition; she had been to many different doctors and had spent all the money she had trying to seek a cure. When she heard about Jesus, she believed that there was something different about this prophet and teacher that gave her hope to believe that maybe He could help her.
She was considered unclean by the Jewish society, so she would have never been allowed in a crowd for fear that she could contaminate others. Appearing in public was an offense that could have led to severe punishment and imprisonment. Therefore, this woman was taking her life into her hands as she made her way through the crowd and touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak.
She had such great faith in Jesus’ power to heal that she was convinced that even touching His clothes would heal her. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she was free from suffering. Trembling in fear, the woman humbly fell at Jesus’ feet and admitted what she had done. Full of tender compassion, Jesus proclaimed, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Jesus always rewards faith that is placed in Him, regardless of how we are brought to a place of faith in Christ. Sometimes traumatic circumstances bring us to such a point of desperation that God is the only one we can turn to in our hour of need. God always meets us in our neediness when we trust in Him as our Provider. Let us consider how we can grow in a faith that is even more dependent on God for our every breath as we consider what this woman was willing to risk because of her faith in the power of Christ.
25. Daniel 3:13-18 – SHADRACH, MESHACH, and ABEDNEGO
Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 3:13-18
I have always been fascinated with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego because they exemplify such a bold faith in a pagan culture that defied the ways of God. Earlier in the book of Daniel, they had already made sacrifices in order to eat a diet that was pleasing to God. In this story, King Nebuchadnezzar had made an image of gold, and everyone in the land was commanded to fall down and worship this image.
The punishment for not bowing down and worshiping the golden image was that they would be thrown into a blazing fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the idol created by the king. They refused to worship any god except God Almighty. They did not display any fear about the fiery furnace but declared that God would deliver them from the king’s punishment.
Their faith was so profound that they announced that even if God did not save them, they would not bow down to any images of gold. In the conclusion of this story, their faith is rewarded as they were not burned and a “son of the gods” was walking around with them in the furnace. The king acknowledged the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and placed an order of protection around them as a result of the faith of these three young Jewish men.
I think that as our culture deviates more and more from embracing the values that followers of Christ are to obey, it is important to examine stories like this one in the Book of Daniel to provide a role model for what faith in Christ needs to look like in a secular culture. Although we are still called to love those around us, God may be calling you to embrace radical differences in your life to honor God and remain steadfast in obeying His ultimate truth. May God give you great discernment as you boldly declare your faith in God as you pursue truth and righteousness in every area of your life.
26. Acts 16:22-33 – PAUL and SILAS
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” – Acts 16:22-33
The example of Paul and Silas illustrates the importance of maintaining our faith during persecution or difficult circumstances. Although facing suffering is never easy, Jesus ensures that in this fallen world, we will have troubles, trials, and tribulations. However, He also reassures us to take heart because He has overcome the world.
Often it is extremely difficult to understand what God may be accomplishing through hard times, but remind yourself that in the end, God has a plan to do remarkable things for His glory even in times of suffering and persecution.
In this story about Paul and Silas, they had been dragged into court after delivering a female slave from an evil spirit that was making money for her owners. The crowd turned on them and the court magistrates ordered them to be severely beaten. They were put in jail and their feet were fastened in stocks. However, Paul and Silas started praying and singing hymns to God.
There was a violent earthquake and all the prison doors flew open, causing all the prisoners’ chains to come loose. The jailer woke up and was about to kill himself because he thought all the prisoners had escaped, but Paul and Silas cried out that everyone was still there. The jailer immediately fell down before Paul and Silas and asked how he could be saved.
The testimony of Paul and Silas demonstrates that even in the most overwhelming of circumstances, we can choose to live out our faith in Christ by keeping our eyes focused on Him rather than our own despair. Let us take every opportunity to praise God and worship Him with our prayers even when things seem hopeless. God will be with you no matter what and He just might show up in the most surprising of ways.
Lord Jesus, increase our faith so that we may follow the calling You have placed upon our lives, no matter where it leads. May we glorify Your name as we step forward in bold obedience, trusting that You will make Yourself known as we yearn to fulfill Your will in our lives. We surrender completely to You. Amen.
More Bible Verses About Stepping Out In Faith:
20 Bible Verses On New Beginnings
34 Scriptures on Hearing God’s Voice
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