‘Faith’: simple word, simple meaning. Specifically, ‘faith’ is the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement (or belief) is true. But ‘Faith’ gets complicated: Historical ‘faith’, temporary ‘faith’, saving ‘faith’, etc. How can such a simple word cause so many to stumble – or worse – to not believe? Here is faith in action: your friend says, “I’ll pick you up at 7:00 p.m.”. At 6:59 p.m. you walk out to meet them – even before they have arrived. By faith you believed and accepted they would do what they said they would. By faith, you trusted them to keep their promise.
We open a package of prepared food and eat it. We have faith it is not tainted. We sit down in a chair. We have faith it will support us. We have faith in many things without the slightest understanding of most of them! We just trust!
But, for many it is difficult to have ‘faith’ in God. Does it mess with your mind when you hear someone say ‘My faith in God will get me through’? The word ‘Faith’ appears in the Bible (New Living Translation) 245 times - an important concept to say the least. Faith had great importance to the forefathers – Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Isaac, Enoch, Gideon, etc. They had ‘faith’ in God and believed God would do what He promised - just as you believed your best friend would pick you up at 7 p.m.!!
If you do not have faith in God you live in fear. I’ll repeat that because this is extremely important – if you do not have faith in God, you live in fear. Faith is unique to Christianity because Christian’s believe God has ALREADY done what He said he would through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s only Son. Faith is realizing that our sins are covered. Faith is assurance that whatever God leads you to do is part of His plan and you can depend on Him to care for you.
What went through Moses’ mind when he and the Israelites were trapped by the Red Sea with the Egyptians approaching? Moses’ faith assured him that God would provide a way out. Moses’ faith sustained him as he watched God part the Red Sea! What about Abraham? God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham’s faith in God assured him God would do what was best so much so that he was willing to sacrifice his son for the Lord. As a result, Abraham’s faith and obedience saved his son. Isaiah’s faith was tremendous. When the Lord asked for a ‘volunteer’ to prophesy to Israel, Isaiah said “Lord, I’ll go. Send me.” Isaiah had no idea what God would ask him to do or how long he would have to do it, but his faith in God allowed him to accept the Lord’s request without hesitation! When God tugs at your heart and you feel led to a ministry, is your faith strong enough to say, “Lord, I’ll go. Send me”?
Look at Noah! Up to this time, it had never rained as the earth was watered by the mist that rose from the ground at night. Then, God comes to Noah, tells him to build an ark, and prepared for forty days and forty nights of rain! Noah’s faith allowed him to build a big boat, in the middle of nowhere, in anticipation of an event (rain) that had never happened before! How the people must have laughed at Noah! But Noah’s faith provided the trust that God would send a flood just as He said He would
So how’s your faith? When you accept Jesus by faith, you understand your life is not on a meandering, random path. You understand God has a purpose for you (Psalm 57:2), He will keep His promise to you (Acts 16:31), and He is in control (Psalm 62). God is not ashamed of His people. When we take one step towards Him, He runs to us!!! Having faith helps you realize you need a Redeemer; a Savior to intercede for you before a Holy God. Like the Biblical figures outlined in the book of Hebrews, you will stand with them as you trust in God to carry you through – by faith! Your faith in God gives you hope of things to come. Your faith strengthens because you realize that no matter what trials and tribulations this world can throw at you there is One who cares for you and will one day bring you Home – just as He promises
Faith; simple word; simple concept; difficult for some to grasp. Do not let your heart be hardened by the events that have transpired in your life up to this point in time. Let any hardness melt away and let it be replaced with the love that God has always wanted to bestow on you! The truth is that God cares for you, loves you and wants to dwell in you. Won’t you, today, by faith, accept God’s promise – in the same manner that all the great Biblical forefathers have – by simply believing?
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
‘Faith’: simple word, simple meaning. Specifically, ‘faith’ is the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement (or belief) is true. But ‘Faith’ gets complicated: Historical ‘faith’, temporary ‘faith’, saving ‘faith’, etc. How can such a simple word cause so many to stumble – or worse – to not believe? Here is faith in action: your friend says, “I’ll pick you up at 7:00 p.m.”. At 6:59 p.m. you walk out to meet them – even before they have arrived. By faith you believed and accepted they would do what they said they would. By faith, you trusted them to keep their promise.
We open a package of prepared food and eat it. We have faith it is not tainted. We sit down in a chair. We have faith it will support us. We have faith in many things without the slightest understanding of most of them! We just trust!
But, for many it is difficult to have ‘faith’ in God. Does it mess with your mind when you hear someone say ‘My faith in God will get me through’? The word ‘Faith’ appears in the Bible (New Living Translation) 245 times - an important concept to say the least. Faith had great importance to the forefathers – Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Isaac, Enoch, Gideon, etc. They had ‘faith’ in God and believed God would do what He promised - just as you believed your best friend would pick you up at 7 p.m.!!
If you do not have faith in God you live in fear. I’ll repeat that because this is extremely important – if you do not have faith in God, you live in fear. Faith is unique to Christianity because Christian’s believe God has ALREADY done what He said he would through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s only Son. Faith is realizing that our sins are covered. Faith is assurance that whatever God leads you to do is part of His plan and you can depend on Him to care for you.
What went through Moses’ mind when he and the Israelites were trapped by the Red Sea with the Egyptians approaching? Moses’ faith assured him that God would provide a way out. Moses’ faith sustained him as he watched God part the Red Sea! What about Abraham? God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham’s faith in God assured him God would do what was best so much so that he was willing to sacrifice his son for the Lord. As a result, Abraham’s faith and obedience saved his son. Isaiah’s faith was tremendous. When the Lord asked for a ‘volunteer’ to prophesy to Israel, Isaiah said “Lord, I’ll go. Send me.” Isaiah had no idea what God would ask him to do or how long he would have to do it, but his faith in God allowed him to accept the Lord’s request without hesitation! When God tugs at your heart and you feel led to a ministry, is your faith strong enough to say, “Lord, I’ll go. Send me”?
Look at Noah! Up to this time, it had never rained as the earth was watered by the mist that rose from the ground at night. Then, God comes to Noah, tells him to build an ark, and prepared for forty days and forty nights of rain! Noah’s faith allowed him to build a big boat, in the middle of nowhere, in anticipation of an event (rain) that had never happened before! How the people must have laughed at Noah! But Noah’s faith provided the trust that God would send a flood just as He said He would
So how’s your faith? When you accept Jesus by faith, you understand your life is not on a meandering, random path. You understand God has a purpose for you (Psalm 57:2), He will keep His promise to you (Acts 16:31), and He is in control (Psalm 62). God is not ashamed of His people. When we take one step towards Him, He runs to us!!! Having faith helps you realize you need a Redeemer; a Savior to intercede for you before a Holy God. Like the Biblical figures outlined in the book of Hebrews, you will stand with them as you trust in God to carry you through – by faith! Your faith in God gives you hope of things to come. Your faith strengthens because you realize that no matter what trials and tribulations this world can throw at you there is One who cares for you and will one day bring you Home – just as He promises
Faith; simple word; simple concept; difficult for some to grasp. Do not let your heart be hardened by the events that have transpired in your life up to this point in time. Let any hardness melt away and let it be replaced with the love that God has always wanted to bestow on you! The truth is that God cares for you, loves you and wants to dwell in you. Won’t you, today, by faith, accept God’s promise – in the same manner that all the great Biblical forefathers have – by simply believing?