Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Faith is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the bridge between the visible and the invisible, the natural and the supernatural. Without it, a trial can easily turn into a catastrophe.
Faith keeps the believer hopeful and encouraged while wrestling with their circumstances. It gives us the courage to speak to our mountains, face our giants, and press our way through adversity. Faith is the language of existential resistance and spiritual confidence. It is our way of letting the Almighty know we trust Him to do what no one else can do.
Faith is a gift from God. In Ephesians 2:8 we are reminded, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." It's not something we muster on our own but a precious gift from God. Just as a seed needs nourishment to grow, our faith needs God's grace to flourish. Believers should take a moment daily to thank God for this incredible gift and ask Him to help them embrace it with open arms.
Walking by faith means trusting in God’s plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts believers to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Faith often requires us to trust in God's plan even when it seems unclear. Despite the attempts of the devil to distract and confuse, we have to ask God to help us trust Him wholeheartedly and guide us in the right direction.
To walk by faith is a daily spiritual struggle that requires believers to overcome doubt. In truth, doubts are inevitable despite our level of spiritual maturity. Indeed, to doubt is human. We doubt because God does not always answer our prayers when we want and the way we expect. In Mark 11:23 Jesus told the disciples, "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." Whenever doubt starts to creep into our minds, we have to remember what God has done for us in the past and count our blessings.
Faith often requires us to step into the unknown, just as Abraham did based on our trust in God. Thus, we read in Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
In times of doubt, believers should pray for the courage to obey, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
Faith is not an abstract spiritual construct. It is a spiritual muscle that needs to be exercised and strengthened. God often uses trials to strengthen our faith. James 1:3-4 teaches "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Believers are reassured of God’s faithfulness and protection when they go through trials. Therefore, we can yet be hopeful because we trust God is shaping us into more mature and complete believers.
Because faith is such a prominent spiritual muscle, believers should be intentional in encouraging one another to walk in faith. Our faith journey is not solitary. We are called to encourage and uplift one another in faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) teaches "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Faith is not a one-time decision but a lifelong journey. It's about trusting God in every season of life, even when circumstances seem impossible. As you continue to nurture and strengthen your faith, may it be a source of hope, joy, and inspiration in your walk with God. Remember, with faith, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Questions for Personal Reflection
How do you overcome doubt?
How does walking in obedience strengthen your faith?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, I thank you for the gift of faith. Please help me to trust you even when I’m struggling to see or hear you.