Building Faith In God
Faith is essential to be pleasing to God. Not faith about God, but faith in God. Take Abraham for instance, he believed in God, and it was put to his account for righteousness. His faith was not about God. He didn’t need more information, but he learned to put his complete trust in God. Conversely, because the ten spies and the children of Israel did not believe God, they were turned back to die in the wilderness. They failed because their faith failed.
We need faith that God is able. If He is not able to keep what He has promised, then why would we put our trust in Him? The story of the Bible is about His ability to deliver on His word. He was able to deliver the seed of woman. He was able to destroy the world by a flood. He was able to make the sun go backward ten degrees for Hezekiah. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above, all we ask or think.
We need faith in God that He is willing. He has never broken a promise. He promised Abraham He would bless those who blessed him, and curse those who cursed him. In Abraham’s story, we see that over and over. He promised a Savior and in the fulness of time, He was born. He promised the children of Israel they would return from captivity, and He delivered them. He is faithful to His word.
We need faith that God is. He is righteous, just, and fair. Abraham said, “Will not the God of all the earth do what is right?” We don’t ever have to be concerned if God will lie. We know He’ll always do what is right. We’re concerned about fairness. We say, “It’s not fair….” Well, was it fair that God sent His only Son to die for the unjust? Grace is not fair. We need to know that God is love. That He cares. It doesn’t matter if He is able or willing, if He doesn’t care. If He sacrificed his own Son, will He not give us lesser needs in life?
We need faith that God has given. He has given His own Son. He has given us His word. He has given us the blessings that the Holy Spirit offers to us. He gives us our daily bread. He has given us our earthly families as well as a spiritual family. He gives us the grain and He gives us the harvest.
We need faith God knows. He knows our every need. He knows when we hurt. He knows when we rejoice. He knows and is aware of our infirmities. All things are laid bare before Him (Heb. 4:13). He knows our smallest needs and He knows the big picture. He knows what He is doing to fulfill His plan for His people (Rom. 11:3). That means we can live lives of peace (Phil. 4:4-6). God is the God who knows all, and He is the God who sees us. He is near!
Our faith in God is the key to our victory. |