The Just Shall Live by Faith, Part 1
Faith, as described in scripture, is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This means it serves as a tangible reality for things we desire or wish for, even when there is no visible proof. To comprehend this faith, scripture emphasizes the importance of hearing God's word to build Faith, as stated in Romans 10:17: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Moreover, the scriptures underscore the crucial importance of placing trust in God and His Word, for a lack of belief is displeasing to Him. Hebrews 11:6 clarifies that without faith, it is impossible to please God, and those who come to Him must believe in His existence and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Essentially, the key to receiving God's rewards lies in seeking Him with trust and faith. It is through a sincere pursuit of Him that we can genuinely please Him.
The scripture we delved into earlier affirms, 'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' In essence, what we hear molds our belief system. Reflect on this: Your responses or actions are molded by what you have heard, shaping the structure of your belief system and triggering specific behaviors. The results of your actions mirror what you feed your spirit. Take a moment to ponder—this sheds light on and unveils the fruits and depth of our faith.
The significance of being mindful of what we nourish our spirit with cannot be emphasized enough. It's vital to safeguard our ears and eyes gate, making sure that what we take in aligns with God's words. When our spirit is fed with things contrary to this, fear and doubt may be the inevitable outcomes.
From all the scriptures we've explored, faith can be defined as the unwavering belief in God and all that pertains to Him. To please Him, it is imperative that we possess faith, acknowledging and trusting in His existence. The primary means of acquiring this faith is through hearing His word—whether through reading, listening, or engaging with Scripture. By genuinely seeking Him, we open ourselves to the potential of receiving divine rewards.
Now that we understand the essence of faith and its expectations, where do we begin? How do we put faith into practice? It begins by embracing Jesus, as many of those reading this blog have a relationship with Him. Did you know that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are granted a measure of faith? (See Romans 12:3, Philippians 1:29). This is the reason for our acceptance of an invisible God, one whom we've neither seen nor touched. Take a moment to contemplate this— it's truly remarkable.
As we are endowed with a measure of faith, the subsequent step involves initiating a pursuit or seeking of God. This is achieved through communication (prayer) with Him, and gaining knowledge about Him through the study of His word. Your relationship and trust with Him are essentially built through these actions, and it is from this relationship that the initially given measure of faith expands as you come to comprehend Him. This process mirrors our relationships on Earth, whether with friends or spouses. Just as we invest time in getting to know them, our trust and understanding of their ways deepen.
Allow me to clarify the concept of faith in a practical manner using Scripture, specifically from Genesis 12 to 22. Our focus will be on the life of Abraham. In Genesis 12, God instructs Abraham to leave his family and country, journeying to an unfamiliar land that God will reveal. God promises to make him a great nation, bless him, and make him a blessing to others. Abraham believed in God's promise despite the fact that his wife was barren. Nevertheless, they were still at an age where childbearing seemed possible. I can comprehend his faith in trusting God.
God appeared to Abraham once more in the land He had led him to, reaffirming the promise that his descendants would inherit the land. Abraham, again demonstrating his faith, believed in God and built an altar in His honor. Following this encounter, a severe famine struck the land God had sent Abraham to, compelling him to flee to Egypt for survival. In Egypt, Abraham encountered challenges, including the temporary loss of his wife. However, God demonstrated His watchful care by not only restoring Abraham's wife to him but also blessing him with additional wealth. At this juncture, one can observe how Abraham's trust in God would naturally grow.
During this stage of Abraham's journey with God, he achieved success and wealth, yet he continued to anticipate the fulfillment of God's promise for an heir. In Genesis 15, God visited Abraham in a vision, reassuring him not to be afraid and promising protection and reward. Abraham, feeling a bit weary, expressed to God that all his wealth would go to his servant since he had no heir. God reassured him, affirming that he would provide an heir from Abraham's own flesh and establish a covenant with him.
Ten years later, Abraham was still waiting for an heir. His wife, Sarah, suggested that he marry her maid to have a child, and he accepted her proposal. At this point, it seems Abraham assumed this might be how God would fulfill the promise, especially given that Sarah was barren. It's important to note that God had not specifically said that Sarah, his wife, would bear him a child. Instead, He had mentioned that Abraham's descendants would inherit the land. After a few encounters, God clarified that Abraham himself would father a child from his own flesh. This sheds light on how Abraham might have found it easy to accept his wife's proposal to have a child through her maid.
At the age of 86, Abraham had his first child, Ishmael, through his wife's maid. Notably, Abraham was 75 years old when God instructed him to leave his home (Genesis 12:4). He waited 11 years for what he believed to be God's promise. At the age of 99, God appeared to him again, reaffirming His covenant and changing Abraham's name to "Father of many nations." As a sign of this covenant, all males in his household were to be circumcised. God also changed his wife's name, indicating that she would be a mother to many nations. For the first time, God explicitly told Abraham that his wife would bear him a son, who would be his heir to the promises.
When Abraham heard this, he burst into laughter, saying to himself, "My wife is in menopause and barren, and I myself am an old man." So, he patronizes God's plan by suggesting, "May my son Ishmael live long before you." However, God corrected him, stating that Sarah, his wife, would indeed give birth to his child, and they were to name him Isaac. This child would inherit the promises established through God's covenant. God informed Abraham that Sarah would have a son by the same time the following year and then left him.
The Lord appeared to Abraham once again, and as he lifted his eyes, he saw three men standing nearby. They were on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham graciously welcomed them, and during their visit, they reiterated God's promise to Abraham that Sarah, his wife, would have a child by the same time next year. When Sarah overheard this, she burst into laughter, echoing the same sentiment about their advanced age. The men accused Sarah of laughing, implying doubt in their words, and responded with the question, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Sarah, feeling afraid, denied having laughed.
Abraham traveled to another part of the land and encountered a situation reminiscent of what happened in Egypt, where his wife was taken from him. God, of course, intervened and restored his wife. The king confronted Abraham, insisting on the curse that befell his land because of the lies Abraham told about Sarah, presenting her as his sister instead of his wife. The king then requested Abraham's prayers to heal the land at the instruction of God because God had struck it with barrenness. Abraham prayed for them, and the land was healed. Consequently, the king sent them away with restitution and abundant wealth. God fulfilled His promise; Sarah conceived in her old age and bore a son. Sarah also requested that Ishmael, her husband's firstborn, and his mother be sent away because they scoffed at her. Abraham didn't like the idea, but God instructed him to do what his wife had said.
Now, as the story unfolds, this is where it becomes truly compelling—the essence of my narrative. Before we proceed, it's safe to say that as we follow the story, we can witness the remarkable growth of Abraham's faith. Through his journey with God, Abraham experienced divine protection, provision, blessings, and the fulfillment of God's promise in the form of an heir.
At this point, we can say life is good for Abraham; God is faithful to him. However, God proceeded to test him by instructing Abraham to take his beloved son, Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice. This test is noteworthy considering that God had allowed Abraham's firstborn, Ishmael, to be sent away. Abraham obeyed God.
Let's delve into Genesis 22:3-17. God tested Abraham by instructing him to take his son Isaac to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering. Despite the tremendous emotional and moral challenge—take a moment to imagine his state of mind, considering he has been walking with God and has a certain understanding of Him, at least acknowledging His power—Abraham obeyed without hesitation. As they approached the designated place, Isaac questioned his father about the absence of a sacrificial animal. Abraham, in faith, assured Isaac that God would provide. Pause for a moment again; at this point, one can only imagine Abraham's thoughts, perhaps contemplating whether God might change His mind or intervene in a different way.
As Abraham readied himself to offer Isaac as a sacrifice —pause for a moment and consider, here trust is in action; through his actions, he is essentially saying, "I'm not leaning on my own understanding, but I trust that something good is going to come out of it; let God's will be done. At this crucial moment, an angel of the Lord intervened, preventing the action. Now, my interpretation or revelation of what was transpiring in Abraham's mind: He knew God's word is law. If God said it, He would do it. God had told Abraham that Isaac would inherit His promise, and Isaac's descendants would possess the land. Having experienced the faithfulness of God, Abraham knows He cannot lie.
As Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, an angel of the Lord intervened, preventing the act. The angel commended Abraham's obedience and revealed that it was a test. A ram caught in a thicket nearby became the substitute sacrifice provided by God. The angel reiterated God's blessing on Abraham, promising descendants as numerous as the stars and the blessing of nations through his offspring. This event foreshadowed God's ultimate provision of a sacrificial substitute, pointing to the future fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ.
Now, that's what true faith looks like! How did Abraham cultivate such a strong faith? He did so through his relationship with God, understanding God's character, and experiencing His faithfulness. The same principle applies to us: to strengthen our faith, we must personally know our God. Building a relationship with God is key; it's the pathway to walking by faith and not by sight.
In the upcoming part 2 of this blog, I will elaborate on the next step, providing details on how to put faith into practice through the application of scriptures. We'll explore the synergy between faith and actions. Furthermore, we'll delve into the Spirit of Faith, a fundamental aspect of faith, and examine how it all comes together. Stay tuned for more insights in 'The Just Shall Live by Faith, Part 2.'
Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.
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