“…contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken…” – Romans 4:18 (NKJV)
What is Faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for will come to pass. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see (Hebrews 11:1).
A very important subject in the Word of God is FAITH. The Bible declares that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). In the Old Testament, what we call faith was often expressed more as trust or confidence in God. The Israelites trusted Him to keep His promises, to guide them, and to be with them on their journeys.
Abraham demonstrated this kind of faith (Genesis 22), breaking all the limits of trust. But in the New Testament, faith is revealed as something higher and greater. It’s not just having the confidence that God “will” act or do something; it’s living in the finished works of Christ. It’s knowing and accepting that God has done all He ever needed to do for us and acting accordingly.
Therefore, faith being the substance of things hoped for means it’s the assurance that what you’ve believed has become real, you’ve possessed it, irrespective of what your mind or senses may tell you. The Word of God is the evidence that you’re who God says you are, you have what He says you have, and you can do what He says you can do. Your response to these and other truths in the Word of God is faith.
Therefore, we can say that faith is the response of the human spirit to the Word of God. When you hear His Word, your spirit must grasp it as real because your spirit can see, perceive, and respond to spiritual realities even when your senses can’t. That’s what God expects of us. It’s not enough to trust Him occasionally in one area of life, but to live entirely in this realm of faith.
Hebrews 10:38 (NKJV) says, “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Don’t you want God to take pleasure in you? Yes? Apply your faith daily!
Read: Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 39; Luke 8:19-39; Numbers 29:12-40; Numbers 30; Numbers 31:1-24