As I wrestle with Hebrews chapter 4, I wonder, “How important is faith?” Faith is a necessary ingredient of salvation. Without faith, all is lost.
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Faith is trust. Faith is belief. Faith is confidence. Faith is Surrender. Faith is certainty and assurance. Faith dictates that we do not depend upon what our eyes see, but we rest upon the promises of God which we are certain of.
We do not walk by sight, but by faith. When what our eyes see does not line up or match up with the Word of Godーthe Word of God always wins! When what our natural eyes see appears to be in contradiction to what God spoke into our livesーwe choose by faith what God spoke.
We see this in the story of Joseph, David, and many others. It’s often the case that, when a prophetic word is spoken over someone’s life or they stand on a promise of God, it is then followed by a season in life that their direction seems to be going in the opposite direction of what was spoken. This is a time of testing. “A tested faith is a trusted faith.”
So many of us are more concerned with the outcome and our position, but God is more concerned about the journey and the process. It’s through the journey and the process of pain, discomfort, and trial, that faith is built and God develops in us what only the journey could. Valley moments in life are growing periods. There is growth that can only happen in the valley and through the process of pain. God doesn’t waste your pain or discomfort!
We often base the concept of goodness on how we feel. If something makes us feel good, we often define it as good. However, good has nothing to do with how it makes us feel. God determines something to be good based on how it fulfills His purpose. What is good is not what makes us feel good, but rather, how it fulfills the purposes of God in and through our lives. What’s good is what brings about His Will. Sometimes what does not feel good brings about the greatest growth in our lives. It’s often through the deepest of valleys of our lives that bring about the character, integrity, faith, and maturity in us the way only the journey of pain can.
What is faith? It is certainty. It is trust. It is everything.
Hebrews 4:2 “For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God said…”
- I choose faith… as I, like you, look into the unknown and uncertain future.
- I choose faith… when I am on a difficult journey and find myself in a valley of pain.
- I choose faith… because I know God will do what He said He would do.
If you choose FAITH today, it will make all the difference!