“Faith”

“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word or God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible…..But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must beleive that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11: 1, 3, 6

 

 

Faith, we all have a measure of faith, some more than others. Since I was eleven years old, I have faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.   You see God draws us to Him. James 4:8 says, ” Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” This is a promise.  Hebrews 11 is the hall of fame for faith.  These men and women looked toward the future promise of Jesus. Just as we look back at to the cross and promises made by Jesus which strengthens our faith.

Faith is an action word. It takes action to sit in a chair and you have faith to believe that the chair will support your body.  It takes action to start the car and drive to your destination. It takes action to open your Bible and read about faith, hope, and love. The writer of Hebrews 10:22 says, Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience …

What does drawing near to God look like? Why does it take a sincere heart? When we draw near to God through prayer, reading the Bible, meditating on a bible verse our faith increases. What can hinder our faith? Sometimes our faith is hindered  by misconceptions about God. I have heard people say, I can not believe in a God that allows the suffering. Beloved we live in a fallen world. Job suffered terrible loses and he refused to blame God. He says to his wife in Job 2: 9-10, “His wife said, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”  He replied, “You are talking like a foolish^b woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.  What are some other misconceptions about God that you have believed? Sometimes, if we did not have a good father daughter relationship our relationship with God can suffer.

In Romans 4:20-21, the apostle Paul describes Abraham’s faith: “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Will you not waver from the promises of God?

Faith is not just wishful thinking, but it is a deep conviction and belief that God’s words are true, and that He is able to bring about His promises. Our faith is strong in Jesus Christ.

Faith requires action, Isaiah was a willing servant with a heart for God. God asked a question and there was no hesitancy, Isaiah answered God “Here I am, Send me!”   We only need the faith of a mustard seed. Matthew 17:20 says,  “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. …    Beloved,  do you have any mountains that need moving?

Father God, I praise you because you are a faithful God, you are a God of mercy, love, and hope. You alone are worthy of our praise. Lord I ask you to increase my faith. Meet each of us where we are. Help us to remember in times of struggle that we only need the faith of a mustard seed.  In Jesus name, Amen.