In June 1998, the Chicago Bulls were in route to their second three-peat as NBA champions in eight years. As the series neared the end, Michael Jordan said something I’ll never forget. On a flight to Utah, Michael told his teammates that he had only packed one change of clothes for the trip. In other words, he didn’t plan on staying in Utah more than one night. This quote amazed me because it happened right after Michael missed a shot to win Game 5, not to mention, the Bulls had already lost one game in Utah. But, Michael still spoke confidently. Long story short, Michael Jordan believed the Bulls would win, in spite of what happened the night before!
Sometimes, you have to look at the tough times you’re facing and say, “I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done” (Psalm 118:17, New Living Translation). That’s faith! Faith made the Hebrew boys (see Daniel 3) look at the fiery furnace and expect to survive, faith made Daniel sleep peacefully in a den of lions (see Daniel 6), and faith made Joshua tell the Israelites, “Get ready, because God is about to do what He promised!” This statement baffled me, for the last time Joshua spoke of the promised land (see Numbers 13-14), it resulted in a 40-year sojourn in the wilderness. But in spite of previous disappointments, Joshua still believed God’s Word! He knew that this was the season he had awaited so patiently.
You may be in a tough spot, but don’t lose hope. Instead, believe your way out. Faith is the ability to believe what God said, in spite of what you see. So, keep trusting, and “… If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2:3, New Living Translation).