This topic is very close to my heart, because there have been times in my journey with God where I have desperately needed faith. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what faith was, until God in His mercy helped me understand that it was so much more than what I thought it was. I would love to share this deeper understanding with you, because I know how much it helped me on my journey, and I hope it can do the same for you.

In order for me to explain what God showed me about faith, I would like to use this example of a half-filled glass of water (as per the picture above). If I had to ask someone if this glass was half empty or half full, some people would agree that the glass is half empty, while others would agree that the glass is half full. But faith is the opposite of sight!

The answer is actually that the glass is overflowing as per Psalm 23:5 which says, “my cup runs over.” Even though we can clearly see that the glass is only half-filled, faith means that we don’t agree with what we can see or what our current situation looks like. Faith means that we agree with God’s word regardless of what we can see. Faith is confessing and believing God’s word before we see it materialize, faith is speaking His Word and His promises into existence. If we had sight, we wouldn’t need faith. But Scripture tells us that we live by faith and not by sight. Our current circumstances will change, but the Word of God stands forever.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

The Scripture in Romans 4:17 helped me understand more about God’s faith. This Scripture tells us that He declares something before it actually materializes. This was such a profound discovery for me when God revealed this truth to me, and He helped me understand that I had to do the same thing. I had to confess and believe His Word before I actually saw it materialize in my life. This Scripture tells us that God calls those things which do not yet exist as though they did.

God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.

Romans 4:17 NKJV

In Genesis we read about how God created the earth. For many years I understood that God made the earth, but I didn’t understand that He first spoke the world into existence. You will see from the examples below that He spoke first, and then what He spoke came into existence. This is why we need to follow this same pattern of faith. We too speak in faith the Word of God which comes to us through the Holy Spirit, and then we see Jesus rewarding our faith by bringing the promises from His Word into existence in our lives.

• Genesis 1:3 – Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
• Genesis 1:6 – Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”
• Genesis 1:9 – Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.
• Genesis 1:11 – Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.
• Genesis 1:14-15 – Then God said, “Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.

The bible actually gives us a clear definition of what faith is:

Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (or confidence) of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

In order for us to exercise active faith, we confess in hope those things we want to come to pass, believing that we receive them, even though there is not yet physical evidence. We confess our hope in the promises of God’s Word. Faith in God’s Word is also based upon spiritual matters, and not fleshly desires, such as having faith in a prosperity gospel (worldly riches). Instead, we have faith for those good spiritual blessings and promises contained within God’s Word for ourselves, our families, and for others. These include things like healing, victory, salvation for loved ones, and overcoming sin and Satan. That doesn’t mean that God overlooks our need for things like food and clothing, He promises to take care of these things if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness from a pure heart. (Matthew 6:33)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

This Scripture helps us understand that it is pleasing to God when we approach Him with a heart full of faith, knowing that He will reward us if we seek Him diligently. The key word in this Scripture is the word “diligently” because that is the condition. The word diligent means: careful and persistent effort or work. In this context of Scripture, I believe that seeking God diligently means to seek God with a pure willing heart, ready to hear what His will is, and then in faith – follow through in obedience, knowing that He will reward our efforts. Once we have done this, we know that God in His faithfulness will make Himself known to us and He will make His will known to us. Thank You Lord Jesus.

There is so much more that I have learned about faith, and I would love to share these aspects with you in the upcoming blog posts, which will include:

• How to get faith

• Confessing our faith

• Holding fast the confession of our faith

• Faith in action

• Faith rewarded

In closing, I’d like to encourage you to ask God for an area in your life where you may need to grow in faith. If we seek Him diligently about this, I know that He will show us His goodness and faithfulness by not only revealing that area, but also giving us the faith we need to overcome whatever obstacle we may be facing. I pray these words bless and encourage you in Jesus mighty name. Until next time – God bless.