I think most people, when they think about faith, think of it being a religious thing and often use the word as a noun, as in “My faith is such and such church”. But faith is so much more. You need not even be part of a certain religion to have faith. Faith is certainly spoken of and defined in various ways among many religions and most consider it integral and vital to their belief system. But faith is so much more! Faith is the ability to see beyond circumstances and limitations and to dig deeper to find the strength to do what must be done.
The best definition of faith is from the Bible in Hebrews 11:1
The best definition of faith is from the Bible, and it is such a great definition! Faith is the very substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen is well said in Hebrews 11:1. Makes sense! There are those times in life when we cannot see any hope in a particular situation, where the odds are against us and it just seems impossible. Yet something within us rises up and reminds us that impossible is not even a word in the spiritual warrior’s vocabulary; it is just a reason for someone not to try.
We are capable of so much more than we think. Human beings have been doing impossible feats, overcoming incredible circumstances, going from zero to hero so many times in this world that it can’t be counted. Why? Because they believed in something beyond their own strength and capability. They reached beyond what they perceived they were capable of and ignored their limitations and achieved the ‘impossible’.
Where do you find the strength to rise when you are down?
Where do you find the strength to rise when you are down? Where do you find the strength to get up and fight a little longer? You draw from something deep within your spirit beyond explanation and words. It is beyond trying; it is doing what needs to be done. It is seeing the substance and evidence of a thing that seemingly does not exist, but somehow you see it in your lowest, weakest moment.
Faith says, “Don’t give up! You have to face the clouds to see the silver lining”. Faith says, “Is the enemy running toward you? Run toward him!” Faith is what helps us look the enemy in the eye and say, “Bring it!” Faith is what takes the fear we have and turns it into the strength we need and even turns it into chains to bind our enemy rather than our enemy binding us with fear.
Faith is our eyes to see the invisible. It is our ability to look beyond the circumstances and see possibilities.
Faith is our ability to find that higher power we need. It is Mickey in our corner saying, “Get up, Rock!”. Faith is our choice to look beyond what the bad report says and do everything within us to fight and not listen to the voices of defeat and giving up. It is entering the fight to win, whether we die trying or not and when the air clears, no one can say we lost because of the spirit we fought with. Faith chooses not to turn to drugs, alcohol and suicide when faced with insurmountable odds against us. Faith cries out to a higher power outside ourselves just so they can hear the voice clearly that says, “You got this!”
Yes, faith moves mountains, shuts the mouths of lions and clears our vision to see the possibilities of what is ahead. It is a wellspring of strength that is within us all.
Everyone is dealt a measure of faith.
Perhaps you feel pretty weak and wonder if you have enough faith or have faith at all. The good news is Romans 12:3 says that everyone is dealt a measure of faith. So God has already given you faith, but faith is like a seed. It has to be watered and cared for if it is to grow. Jesus gave the example that if you only have faith as small as a mustard seed, one of the tiniest seeds on Earth, that you can say to a mountain to be removed and cast into the sea and it will be done (Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:5-6). He isn’t just talking about some ‘name it, claim it’ false doctrine that has sneaked into many churches today. He further clarified in Matthew 13:31-32, “He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” He is instructing us that though we have been given a measure of faith that it is like a ‘starter faith’ if you will. It has potential, but it must be nurtured to grow. With this small measure of faith, we can believe and be saved. We can then go on and water this seed that has been planted in us to grow into something greater. We do this by reading and studying God’s Word and applying it to our everyday lives. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This isn’t just talking about going to church now and then and hearing a sermon. This is about listening, pondering, letting it become a revelation and enlightening something in you. The original Greek that the scriptures were written in called it ‘Rhema’, the God breathed Word of God. His Word has to be studied with the intention of knowing God and allowing him to speak deep down in our soul and spirit as only he can. David wrote, I have hidden thy Word in my heart so I might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). He first had to hide it in his heart before it had the power to keep him from sinning. That paper and printed Bible you have is not the ‘Sword of the Spirit’, as spoken of in Ephesians 6:17; it is a storehouse for the swords. It is up to you as you get in the presence of God and draw the Sword of the Spirit from its pages by reading, studying and applying it to your life. Jesus often spoke and said ‘For those who have ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is speaking’ (Matthew 11:15 and other scriptures, this statement is recorded.) God is speaking to his people, but he isn’t shouting; he is speaking in a still small voice, so we must listen very carefully to hear him speak. 1 Kings 19:11-13 records how God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice, not in the loud thunder or the earthquake. Psalm 42:1 speaks of a deep hunger and thirst like a deer panting for water. This is how we should desire his word and its life-giving power. Only he can satisfy the spiritual hunger and thirst within. “Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6).
I am told that the mustard tree has great roots, strong roots going deep and spreading out. It takes letting our spiritual roots go deep before we can bloom into a tree with branches that bear fruit. Deep roots are what make the difference when the storms of life come, whether we will stand or fall.
Jesus told his disciples a parable of a sower and the seed in Matthew 13. The Parable of the Sower tells the story of a farmer who scatters seeds on different types of soil, representing how people respond to the message of the Gospel. The seeds that fall on good soil grow and produce a bountiful harvest, illustrating that a receptive heart leads to spiritual growth and understanding. Is your heart good soil? Have you surrendered your traditions and understanding to receive what the Holy Spirit wants to impart to you? Do you really want to hear what God is trying to teach you? God is more than willing to increase your faith as you draw close to him. He has promised that if we draw close to him he will draw close to us (James 4:8). Can you hear his voice speaking through the scriptures? Pray as Apostle Paul prayed in Ephesians 1 that your spiritual eyes and ears be opened and seek to grow in your faith. It doesn’t just end at the altar where you first prayed; he desires an ongoing relationship with you.
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