Faith

Faith. That’s a word I’ve heard a lot lately. I’ve talked about it with my friends in a Bible study. I’ve talked about it in the Sunday school lessons I’ve taught. I’ve thought about it a lot. Faith. What is it? And do I have it? The first thing that comes to my mind when someone asks me, “What is faith?” is Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Recently a friend said something that helped give me a new understanding of faith. He said faith is when God says something and we believe it. It’s when we take God at His Word and step out in faith, knowing He’ll do what He promised. All through Hebrews 11, people who knew God put their faith in His promises to save them from sin and death, resting in Jesus as they did the things He called them to. This transformed the way I think about faith. Instead of faith being something I pray for when I feel like I’m doubting, I simply tell God I know He’ll do what He promised. He said He’ll do it, and I can take Him at His Word. Now, instead of feeling like I’m fighting with myself to have enough faith, I can rest in assurance, knowing God loves me and is trustworthy. I’m not going to pretend I know all about faith. Faith in Jesus is a lifelong journey. But now, instead of fighting to try to grow my faith, I can rest in trust, knowing God will complete the work He started in me (Philippians 1:6). • Macy Lee • What surprised you about today’s devotion? How has this changed your understanding of faith? • Read Romans 8. As Christians, what are some promises from God we can rest in? • Read Hebrews 11. How did the people in this chapter rest in those promises? Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Proverbs 2:1-6; 2 Timothy 3:14-17