And 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 seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB1995)
There is much that can be said about faith, but I have come across another way to look at faith in the last few days in a book by E.M. Bounds.
“Faith is not an aimless act of the soul, but a looking to God and a resting upon His promises. Just as love and hope have always an objective so, also, has faith. Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in Him, trusting His Word.” E.M. Bounds (The Necessity of Prayer)
Our text, which many of us quote about faith, is clear in saying that we need faith to please God. This then naturally leads us to ask the question, “What is faith?” It is too easy to slip into the error of thinking that faith is something that finds its roots within us, when in truth, the roots of faith are in God our Father. Our text today tells us that the root of faith is believing in God and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, which brings us to the quote from E.M. Bounds. Faith is not an aimless feeling, like a wave on the ocean with no direction. Faith is anchored in believing Almighty God as our Father, who can and will provide all our needs in His good timing. Rather than believing in the end result, we believe in Him, who will provide!
In Hebrews 11, we read the stories of past greats in the Old Testament who were faithful to God; this chapter is often called the honour roll of faith. In verse 39, we read that “these all having obtained a good report through faith…” A good report in the Hebrew text refers to a good testimony/witness; that the lives of these saints were a testimony to their faithful dependence in God. This is the righteous testimony of the child of God. In contrast, many men obtain a good report because of their money-giving, their great mental gifts and talents. But there are few who obtain a “good report” because of their great faith in God, or because of the wonderful things which are being wrought through their great praying.
Dear Reader, I pray that you find the roots of your faith in God, who saves you through His Son, Jesus Christ. Rather than looking inward for faith, let us look Heavenward to our loving Father in expectation of His provision. Let us rest in Him, reading and meditating on His Word, and quoting it back in petitions and praise each day.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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