Faith in God

When someone says their faith gets them through difficult circumstances, it means their belief in a greater force, idea, or system helps them. This belief helps them make sense of the world and their circumstances. There are many beliefs floating around in our world. Many persons have put their faith in various ideas and gods. Some people place their faith in what they consider spiritual forces such as Allah, Krishna, or their ancestors. They seek guidance, protection, and meaning from these sources. Others trust in powerful ideas or natural laws such as love, karma, science, or the universe. These ideas for them are the foundations for how life unfolds. Many also put their faith in people, systems, or themselves. They believe that human strength, connection, and hope can overcome life’s challenges. They also think it can shape a better future.

For me, faith is a belief in the existence of Yahweh who is God the Father, His son Yeshua who is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. As a Believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, my faith teaches me to embrace life’s circumstances as part of Yahweh’s master plan.

What does it mean to have faith?

Beyond faith in God as the divine potter, faith is also a requirement if we are to experience change in our life’s circumstances. The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) as “…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This means that faith is having confidence in what we hope for and assurance about things we cannot yet see. Essentially it is trusting in God’s promises even when there is no visible proof.

To simplify this even further,

 Faith is knowing that God can.

This is not an oversimplification of the concept of faith, but rather an emphasis on the basis of having faith. Since God is the creator of the universe, all powerful and sovereign, then God can do all things.

When we begin to embrace this foundational principle of faith, our understanding of faith is no longer contingent on the outcome of our situation. Neither is it contingent on our measure of faith, but rather it is grounded in the nature of God.

Faith Like a Mustard Seed

People often lament that a lack of faith has diminished miracles. Healing and deliverance have become partially non-existent. Many Believers hold that their level of faith directly influences their access to healing. They believe it also affects deliverance and divine intervention. Scripture consistently connects faith with receiving God’s healing and deliverance. For example, in Matthew 9:22, Jesus tells the woman with the issue of blood, “Daughter, your faith has made you well,”. This shows that it was her belief and not just His power that activated her healing. Similarly, in Matthew 13:58, it is noted that Jesus “did not do many mighty works there [ in his hometown] because of their unbelief,” indicating that a lack of faith can limit the flow of divine miracles. In Mark 9:23, Jesus declares, “All things are possible to him who believes.” This declaration reinforces the idea that faith is the key. It unlocks what seems impossible. From these and other passages, we can conclude that faith is not just a passive belief. It is a spiritual force. It invites God’s intervention into our lives.

Indeed, faith invites God’s intervention into our situations.  Matthew 17:20 (NKJV) tells us that “…for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” This verse emphasizes that even a small amount of genuine faith has great power when placed in God. However, our faith is often misplaced. We tend to focus on whether or not we have enough faith. We do not concentrate as much on the person in whom we have put our trust, God Almighty!

Faith in Whom we Believe, God Almighty

Faith is accepting that the sovereign God can heal, deliver, raise the dead, set the captive free and do all things according to His will and purpose. God has the capacity to do all of these things and more. Our faith should not be contingent on whether or not He heals, delivers or sets us free. Faith is simply accepting that He can.

Even if He does not deliver us in the day of trouble, we should remain unshakable in our faith. We must believe that He can. Daniel 3:17–18 is a powerful example of this. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are threatened with being thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the golden image, they respond, “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods…” (Daniel 3:17–18, NKJV).

This passage demonstrates a bold and mature faith. This exemplifies not just faith in God’s power to deliver, but also in His sovereignty if He chooses not to. Their faith was not conditional on the outcome. They trusted God’s ability and character, whether He rescued them or not. This kind of faith reflects deep conviction and allegiance. True faith isn’t just about expecting miracles based on our measure of faith. It involves standing firm in trust and obedience, regardless of the outcome. This kind of perspective on faith makes obedience to God so much easier. We begin to understand and accept that although God can, He doesn’t have to. Embracing God’s sovereign will is wrapped up in faith. Only then can we move away from a focus on works.

Faith is Not Merit-based

Faith is not merit-based. Mature faith means shifting focus. We must stop concentrating on what we need to do to move God. Instead, trust that He will work on our behalf. Just know that it is within God’s power to fix any situation that we face. This is the nature of the God we serve. When we are healed, delivered, or set free, it depends less on our measure of faith. It relies more on God’s decision on the matter. Deuteronomy 9:4 (NKJV) teaches an important lesson about faith. God reminds the people of Israel that their blessings and victories come not from their own righteousness, but from God’s grace, purpose, and faithfulness to His promises, “Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you.”

This verse emphasizes that true faith involves trusting in God’s goodness and plans and not our own merit or worthiness. Believers are called to have faith, not in their own ability to have faith. Instead, they should trust in God’s character and covenant.

Faith in God’s Character and Covenant

Let’s revisit the definition of faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, as stated in Hebrews 11:1. Our faith signals expectancy for change. We have hope, believing that the situation will change because of who God is. God is good and His intentions towards us are good. Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” This verse is an invitation to personally experience God’s goodness. One of my favorite scriptures, Jeremiah 29:11, reassures us as Believers. It tells us that God has intentional, good plans for our lives. These plans are in place even when present circumstances seem uncertain or difficult.

Hope therefore as referenced in the definition of faith means expecting good gifts because of who God is. We hope for the best outcome in every situation. The challenge we face often times is that our expectation of good rests solely on our present life and situation. At times, we fail to comprehend the bigger picture of God’s sovereignty, goodness and pure intentions. These are rooted in salvation and eternal life. Trials will come; afflictions will come. God will not always save us from the situation even if our measure of faith is strong. In Romans 9:15 (NKJV), we are reminded that God said to Moses that “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” Let us never forget God’s sovereign will in our understanding of faith.

His grace is not earned by human effort but is given according to His divine purpose. It calls us to have a faith that is rooted in accepting that God’s choices are just, even when they surpass human understanding. Sometimes we have to go through the difficulty because it is a part of God’s eternal plan for our lives. He uses the challenges to mold and shape us for His glory and our redemption.

For the Believer who is trusting God to take them through difficult circumstances, it means accepting that God is sovereign. God is good, and His intentions are pure. Therefore, whatever the outcome, it is the best outcome. Remember, God’s love for us is everlasting. His love extends beyond this present time and world, to eternal life. Before we were formed in our mother’s womb, God knew us. He made a plan for us that is tied to an expected end.

When Faith is Not Enough

There have been instances where people are sick and really believing God for healing with a strong measure of faith and yet they die. I also believe that there are times when entire families and communities are praying for healing or deliverance. They have a strong measure of faith, and yet it does not happen. In such circumstances should we blame ourselves or our measure of faith? Is it really a lack of faith or is it God’s sovereign will? God may choose not to heal and not to deliver. Remember Romans 9:15.

Concerning the Believer, God makes no mistakes. He is who He says He is. God’s love is not contingent on how He responds to our situation. The gift of salvation is not just for this life, but for the next. God has prepared a place of eternal rest. He may choose to call a Believer home out of sickness and suffering. This can happen instead of granting healing and restoration. We must all prepare to walk into His eternal rest. Let us set our houses in order and let His will be done. As Believers we have faith and expect to be healed or delivered. However, we must focus our attention on knowing God’s sovereign will. Our faith must embrace the nature and character of the God in whom we put our trust more than it emphasizes our measure of faith.