Where is Your Faith Leaning Today? — Ajay Chakravarthy — February 9, 2025
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages listeners to examine where their faith is currently leaning, contrasting two types of trust. He uses the examples of Jacob and Naaman to illustrate that true faith is not transactional—believing God only for earthly blessings—but rather a complete reliance on God Himself, viewing Him as the essential crutch for life. The core message is to trust in the Lord completely, leaning on Him alone rather than on personal understanding or the favor of people.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Trust in the Lord with all your heartThe speaker introduces the central theme of where our faith is leaning by reading Proverbs 3:5, contrasting leaning on our own understanding with trusting God.Proverbs 3:5
Jacob's conditional vowWhen fleeing his brother, Jacob makes a bargain with God, promising that the Lord will be his God only if He provides food, clothing, and a safe return.Genesis 28:20
From a hiking stick to a crutchJacob initially left home with only a staff, treating God like a hiking stick used for convenience, but later after wrestling with God he needed Him like an indispensable crutch.
Blessed is the man whose trust is the LordReflecting on Jeremiah 17:7, the speaker notes the difference between trusting God merely for Earthly provisions and making the Lord Himself our ultimate trust and anchor.Jeremiah 17:7
Naaman's fury and expectationsNaaman gets angry when Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan River seven times, expecting a grand personal appearance and healing ritual instead of a simple command.2 Kings 5:11
Reasoning instead of obeyingNaaman reasons that the rivers of Damascus are better than the waters of Israel, illustrating how leaning on our own understanding prevents us from obeying God.
The obedience of faithUnlike the obedience of reason which requires explanations, true faith obeys simply because God commanded it, just as Jesus obeyed the Father to demonstrate His love.Romans 1:5
Putting on the full armor of GodJust as ignoring the instruction to dip seven times leaves spiritual leprosy, ignoring commands like putting on the full armor of God leaves believers vulnerable to defeat.
Peter's struggle with guilt and feelingsAfter denying Jesus, Peter likely battled heavy floods of emotion and condemnation, showing how easily believers can lean on their negative feelings.
Remembering purification from former sinsPeter later instructs believers not to forget their purification from former sins, moving past failure by trusting God's promise of forgiveness rather than lingering in discouragement.
The urgency of forgiveness and reconciliationEmphasizing the importance of forgiving others and apologizing while we still have opportunity in this life before eternity.
Rejoicing without seeingEven though believers today cannot see Jesus with physical eyes like Peter did later in life, they can still experience inexpressible joy by leaning hard on God's word.1 Peter 1:8
