Part One: What is Faith?
Updated: Mar 26, 2020
When you hear the word, faith, what comes to mind? Take a minute to think about that. I ask this question because today's cultural view is a little misconstrued. One cultural perspective defines it as the religious group someone believes in, but isn't faith more complicated than that? As Christians, we know faith doesn't stop when we say "Yes, I believe in God," it's more than just a declaration of a personal deity. Merriam-Webster defines faith as "complete trust in something or someone one," and for Christians, our complete trust is in our triune God. During my devotionals, school reading assignments, and prayer, the word "Faith" seems to be a constant theme. These next few posts I'll talk about "What faith is?", "The hindrances of our faith" and "The foundation of our faith."
As previously described, faith is our complete trust in God, but what does complete confidence in God look like? Our measure of faith is often tested in times of difficulty, sad but true. Do you know someone that walked away from the "faith" because of a bad season in their life? I think we all know someone. We also might know mature Christians who are unwavering children of The Almighty. Trusting in the sovereignty of God isn't an easy thing to do for most people. Most trials Christians face are in the midst of uncertainty, fear, hurt, and sacrifice. Reading Hebrews 11:17-31, I was drawn to look at "Faith" a little more intimately. Only highlighting the talking points, It reads:
v.17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."...v.24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, v.25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. v.26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. v.27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible...v.29 By faith, the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. v.30 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. v.31 By Faith Rahab, the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
If you're not familiar with these accounts, these were people who, at the peak of their calling, displayed great faith. Notice the Hebrew writer starts by saying "By faith" in each of these accounts. If you think back, you'll recall that God wanted them to do some pretty difficult tasks. Abraham was called to sacrifice his son in the "land of Mariah" (or Mount Mariah) only to be stopped mere seconds from killing his son Isaac (Genesis 22). Moses fled Egypt after his eyes were open to the treatment of the people, returned to free them from Egyptian rule, and crossed the Red Sea while being chased by an angry Pharaoh's army (Exodus 4-14). Rahab, a prostitute living in a city that would later be destroyed, hid spies sent by Joshua to survey the land God was going to give them. She feared God more than the king of Jericho who was looking for the spies (Joshua 2). Some of you might say, "Well, Abraham and Sara doubted they would have a child even after God told them." Surely you're right, but their faith grew and matured as they trusted God's word.
The Hebrew writer tells us, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (11:1). Dr. Charles Stanley said, "Weak faith says 'He might, or He could. Great faith says 'He can, and He will!'" Again, Hebrews says, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for..." Faith in God is trusting in His promises, knowing that whatever the outcome is good for our lives. Even as Christians, we tend to treat God as a safety net, or lucky charm; God doesn't work that way! You can read how well that particular view worked out for the Israelites in 1 Samuel 4... (SPOILER ALERT, it didn't work out). Going back to Genesis 22, Abraham had nothing but the promises of God to go off of; Isn't God's word all we have also? Viewing God like a lucky charm instead of the promise keeper minimizes His holiness. We are the ones that depend on God. We are the ones that need him to intercede for us.
"Great faith doesn't give up"
Great faith doesn't give up. Great faith is a continuous trust in God's sovereignty and constant praise of His power. Not only in the scriptures do I witness examples of great faith, but when I think about Faith, I think back to my Mother-in-law's complete trust in God during her cancer battle. I think about my friend's faith during their delivery of a premature baby and how God is strengthening him day by day. I think back on the long-suffering my Father-in-law endured during a challenging season. I think again on the parents that grieve the loss of their child. Every one of them had their faith rocked but not broken. To have faith is to go to the edge of the sand, look out at the parted waters and walk through it, knowing God is with you.
After Moses led Israel through the Red Sea and the Egyptians were engulfed by the closing waters, Israel sang a song to the LORD out of joy and thankfulness for their freedom. One line reads, "You have led in steadfast love the people whom you redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode" (Exodus 15:13). What makes you think He won't do that for you? What makes you think you won't sing a new song like the Israelites? One out of joy and thankfulness. Beloved, let me remind you that Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our Faith (Hebrews 12: 1-2). He will strengthen and guide us to God's holy abode, which He established by His hand (Exodus 15: 13, 17). Once we arrive there, when we meet Him in all His glory, we too will sing a new song.
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