Faith is an intriguing concept. Our passage today shows Jesus explaining that we need only have faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains. But what exactly is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I don’t know about you, but it is hard for me to be sure of what I do not see, so let’s look at that idea a bit more.Let’s say I called a new friend and invited her out for coffee, wanting to get to know her better. After hanging up the phone I would hope she will show up, but I wouldn’t necessarily have faith that she will meet me because I wouldn’t have anything to base her reliability on.
Now let’s say I invited my husband to have coffee, knowing he is reliable I could have faith that he’d show up. I could go to our coffee date with confidence because he has proven himself to me. If you struggle with faith the remedy is intimacy with God.
Share your thoughts;
When has knowing God’s character helped you have faith?
If you struggle with faith, share with us what that struggle looks like.
James chapter 1 says, “The testing of your faith
produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so
that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Read today’s passage at Biblegateway.com Matthew17:14-27
Click on the comments button below and share with us your thoughts on faith.
4 comments:
What interesting timing for a question like this one? I am discovering that I don't have to have all the answers to have faith. I don't have to even have my questions answered in order to believe God is there.
My humanness wants every 'duck in a row' with no loose ends or stragglers waiting in the wings. My Spirit-ness acknowledges that will never happen in this life. I have learned that God is God and He will do what God wants to do. He knows the big picture and He will do what is right for me. I have experienced this in the past, therefore, I believe it for tomorrow.
I just love how you put that. We don't have all the answers but knowing how God has been faithful in the past helps be have faith that he will be faithful in this.
This morning I spent over an hour reading and journaling on faith so the timing of your devotion is right where I'm at. I wrote three long pages of where God has been faithful in my life, just in the last 8 years. He orchestrated many things that have brought me into complete reliance on Him, many terribly painful things.
I read Romans 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
"Confident hope" is faith in what we cannot see. I will rest in that hope today.
Thank yous so much for sharing. What a beautiful testimony to God's faithfulness.
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