Faith, this little word which we’re told the just live by(Habakuk 2:4), is defined by the author of Hebrews as ”the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In the Old Testament and New, it’s the bedrock of belief.
Faith is an idea that runs in direct opposition to our modern, western ways of thinking in which we want all our i’s dotted, all our t’s crossed. It’s contrary to our desire to know the next five steps before we take the first, or what’s around the corner, or what will happen if (insert your scary proposition for life here).
But for the follower of Jesus, faith is the evidence of things NOT seen.
Wouldn’t it be great if it said “faith is the evidence that’s right in front of your face…see, there it is?” But by definition, it’s not. For the Christian, our entire lives (both now and into eternity) hinge on faith!
We must have faith that God’s grace is sufficient.
We must have faith that He loves us so much He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins.
We must have faith that Jesus not only died for our sins but rose again three days later, victorious over sin, death and hell.
We must have faith that He forgives us, faith that He is coming back, faith that He will take all who put their trust in His grace to be with Him for eternity.
We must have faith that death is not the end, faith that His Word is true, and faith that He does what He says.
The evidence of things not seen.
And, follow with me…if we can trust God with our eternity, can we not trust Him with our now?
Truth is, it’s easy to live in a kind of blissful ignorance when you have food to eat, a roof over your head, clothes on your back, a job, your health…it’s easy to talk about having faith while never really having faith in “the stuff you can’t see.”
Until God allows that faith to be put to the test. What then? Will you trust Him? Will you, like Peter when Jesus called to him from the sea, step out of the boat and trust that if God is calling He won’t let you drown, trust that He has you? Or will you, also like Peter, take your eyes off what Jesus has said (come to Me), and begin to sink?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a “ye of little faith.”
Faith says “God has spoken…I don’t understand it, but I know I must follow it.” Faith doesn’t have it all figured out. Faith, by definition, puts it’s trust in the God Who DOES have it all figured out.
Faith steps out of the boat when the Lord calls. This isn’t name it, claim it. This isn’t about prosperity. This is about following the Master where He leads.
The Wading Pool 