Faith that has never been tested is a belief. Only when a belief is tested does it become faith.
Faith requires action. In the Christian walk, faith is an action verb.
If you look in Hebrews 11 the chapters on the Heroes of Faith, you will understand my point:
Vs. 4 Abel offered
Vs. 5 Enoch pleased
Vs. 7 Noah built
Vs. 8 Abraham went
Vs. 9 Abraham stayed (yes, sometimes staying is an act of faith)
Vs. 11 Sarah received (she was open to receiving)
Vs. 17 Abraham offered up
Vs. 20 Isaac blessed
Vs. 21 Jacob blessed and worshiped
Vs. 22 Joseph gave instructions
Vs. 25 Moses chose
Vs. 27 – 29 Moses left, persevered, instituted, and crossed
Vs. 30 Israelites encircled
Vs 31 Rahab received
In addition, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets who by faith:
1. Conquered kingdoms
2. Administered justice
3. Obtained promises
4. Shut the mouths of lions
5. Quenched the raging of fire
6. Escaped the edge of the sword
7. Gained strength after being weak
8. Became mighty in battle
9. Put foreign armies to flight
If you study those named for their faith, you will see stepping out in faith isn’t easy. I mean after all, Noah built an ark for something that had never happened before. Abraham struck out following God not even knowing where he was going. Not only that but he trusted God to resurrect the son that God instructed him to sacrifice. That hadn’t been heard of before, had it?
“Confide in growing, wise Christian friends. They will pray and hold you accountable during the hardship.”
Often times our faith is grown when we find ourselves in a position which requires us to solely rely on God because we have never been in that position before: death in the family, loss of a job, financial difficulty, miscarriage, infertility, infidelity, cancer, caring for a loved one, and the list goes on. So what do you do when your belief is being tested? What do you do when your faith is being developed?
You draw close to God. Each of those named above knew God, even Rahab. She had heard of Yahweh and believed.
Pray and read God’s Word. Noah and Enoch both walked and talked with God. There’s no sweeter time to hear the comforting voice of God than when we are being pressed from every side.
Confide in growing, wise Christian friends. They will pray and hold you accountable during the hardship.
Then believe. Isaiah 42:16 says, I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not forsake them. HCSB
Even though you have never been down this path, this road, this hardship before doesn’t mean that God hasn’t. Just because you can’t see around the bend or over the hill, doesn’t mean that God can’t. Just because you can’t see to take the next step in front of you, doesn’t mean that God is blind.
This verse clearly states God will guide you. This means He knows the way. He also has the ability to enlighten you, your path when the time is right. Sometimes though He won’t enlighten the next step until after you’ve taken it to show you He was there all along. Do you trust Him? He goes before you preparing your way. If you notice, God is moving you forward. If you go backward, you are on your own, but if you’ll just trust Him, move forward, He will not leave you.
What step of faith do you need to make today? What action is needed in order to change a belief into a growing faith?
Encourage someone today with this devotion. Pass it on.