Having faith in an eternal, almighty, loving and merciful, but righteous God is a difficult concept for many. How can a black cow eat green grass and produce white milk from which we make yellow butter? We don’t understand the metaphysics and chemistry behind all that, but some of us can still enjoy the butter on our bread. Can we understand God? No. But, who wants to serve a God that can be understood? The first thing to know is that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. You’ll find that in Isaiah 55:8-11.
According to Hebrew 11:1 “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I like to think of it this way. When you buy a takeaway meal at a shop, you get a receipt with a number on it. You know that, when your number is called, you will receive your order. That receipt is the evidence, the substance, of things hoped for, for example the pizza, or whatever you ordered. You do not see it yet, but you know that you will receive it when the time comes.
Hebrew 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
This verse emphasizes that, first of all, we must believe that “HE IS”. God revealed Himself to Moses as “I am who I am”. (Exodus 3:14) “I am who I am” is the name by which God wished to be known and worshipped in Israel. This name expresses His character as the dependable and faithful God who desires the full trust of His people. I am is the One who never changes. Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed.” Jesus confirms in Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, …who was and who is and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Secondly, we must believe that He is faithful. The Bible overflows with Scripture regarding God’s faithfulness. Numbers 23:19 reads, “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind.” When God promises something, He will fulfill it.
A few facts about faith
All Christians have received the gift of faith from God. It is not something we can come up with on our own. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift from God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. It is also part of the armor of God – the shield with which we protect ourselves from the “flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Eph.6:16)
Did you know that faith can be measured? Your faith can be measured externally, because it is visible in the loving way you treat others. Faith can also be measured internally. Each of us have an internal faith meter called Peace. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Do you experience peace once you’ve taken your burdens to the Lord? What does your faith meter show? Unbelief is a sin, just like any other. Jesus rebuked His disciples in Mark 16:14 for their unbelief, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. Faith can grow or increase according to Romans 10:17, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Bible tells us that our faith can and will be tested. James 1:1-2 reads, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
We all have challenges…I don’t know what you are facing right now. Maybe you are going through a difficult time, a time of testing or maybe you are waiting on the Lord for breakthrough or maybe your faith meter is reading real low or just not functioning at all.
I want to encourage you today…
- “… all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28)
- Eph. 3:20 emphasizes that God can do exceedingly abundantly beyond what believers can imagine (warning – Jesus can do nothing for us if we choose not to believe.)
- God keeps His promises – Luke 1:45 reminds us, “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of those things which were told to her from the Lord.”
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith. Please strengthen mine where it is weak. Thank you, Lord, that Your faithfulness is my security.
Angelique Conradie van der Westhuizen