By Shirley Wiggins
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV 1984.)
How would you define “faith?” How would you describe your faith?
Consider Georgie, a ten year old who lived in Chicago and wanted a stamp album for Christmas. His grandma who lived elsewhere had promised to send him one.
Christmas came and went, but no stamp album arrived. Each time Georgie was asked about his Christmas gifts, he always listed the stamp album from his grandma as one of his gifts.
Finally his mother asked why he continued to name the album when he had not received it. His answer taught his mother “a rich spiritual truth,” as Georgie assured his mother that grandma had not forgotten and he was absolutely certain that the stamp album would be coming to him.
After a month went by, and his mother mentioned again that perhaps grandma had just forgotten, Georgie mailed a thank-you letter to his grandma. In just a short time, her reply came back explaining that she had ordered his album from New York and it did not get to her until after Christmas. It was not the one Georgie had asked for so she had to return it. Since the other one had still not arrived, she enclosed money in her letter so that Georgie could purchase the album he wanted in Chicago.
“As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor. ‘Now, mamma, didn’t I tell you?’ came from the depths of a heart that never doubted that, ‘against hope, believed in hope’ that the stamp album would come. While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season faith became sight.”
“It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: ‘Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.’” --- Mrs. Rounds.¹
I have to confess that too many times my sin of disbelief and doubt in the face of a long-awaited hope has been more evident than my firm, faith-filled belief that the promises of God would absolutely be fulfilled.
“Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be.” Mark 11:24.
Consider Abraham: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’ The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in Him{God} who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He {Jesus} was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:18-25 (NIV 1984).
“True faith counts on God, and believes before it sees. Naturally, we want some evidence that our petition is granted before we believe; but when we walk by faith we need no other evidence than God’s Word. He has spoken, and according to our faith it shall be done unto us. We shall see because we have believed, and this faith sustains us in the most trying places, when everything around us seems to contradict God’s Word.
The Psalmist … believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living (Psalm 27:13). He did not see as yet the Lord’s answer to his prayers, but he believed to see; and this kept him from fainting.
If we have the faith that believes to see, it will keep us from growing discouraged. … we shall watch with delight to see how God is going to open a path through the Red Sea when there is no human way out of our difficulty. It is just in such places of severe testing that our faith grows and strengthens.
Have you been waiting upon God, dear troubled one, during long nights and weary days, and have feared that you were forgotten? Nay, lift up your head, and begin to praise Him even now for the deliverance which is on its way to you. --- Life of Praise.”²
Hope, based on a wish, an earnest desire, is not faith because it is not based in belief, but only on a hope. Hope must see before it believes.
Faith, the hope based in belief because it counts on God, believes before it sees.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:1 ,6.
We walk by faith and not by sight because “thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” 2 Corinthians 2:14.
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV 2011).
Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father’s hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait—for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought ‘twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees ‘tis best,
Will give it THEE.” ---Anonymous.³
What have you asked God for that is founded on His holy Word but that everything around you seems to be contradicting that holy Word? Then believe to see it! It’s on its way!
¹Streams in the Desert Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman; ©1965 Cowman Publications, Inc.; page 55.
² Streams in the Desert Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman; ©1965 Cowman Publications, Inc.; page 54.
³ Streams in the Desert Compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman; ©1965 Cowman Publications, Inc.; page 11.
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