Faith

Hebrews 11: 6 "Without faith it is impossible to please God for whoever would draw near to God must believe [have faith] that God exists and that God rewards those who seek God."

Faith consists of persistent hope in the promises of God. Hebrews 11 gives an abundance of examples of biblical characters who exhibited faith in various circumstances and situations. These characters were all flawed and sinful yet they sought after God and were blessed in their seeking. Faith is not wishful thinking but settled confidence that something promised by God will be fulfilled. It is not an unknowable leap in the dark but confident trust in the eternal God who is all-powerful, infinitely wise, eternally trustworthy, the God who has revealed himself in His Word and in the person of Jesus Christ, whose promises have proven true from generation to generation, and who will never leave or forsake us.

Charles Spurgeon instructs us to take good care of our faith because it is the only way you can obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing except faith can acquire them. Faith is the telegraph wire that links earth and heaven. If I am in trouble, faith helps me find help. If I am afflicted by the devil, my soul leans by faith on God's refuge. Faith links me with God. Faith clothes me with God's power. Faith puts divine power at my disposal. Faith calls every attribute of God to my defense. It helps me defeat the hosts of hell. With faith, I march in triumph over my enemies. But without faith, how can I receive anything from the Lord? But with faith you can gain everything, however poor you may be.

Remember Jesus said that if we have faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed we could do great things.

Our wise Heidelberg Catechism (#21) states, "True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in His Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation."

Please note how the goodness and love of God are included in our faith for our faith is authored by Holy Spirit through use of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul teaches in Ephesians 2, "For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing but is the gift of God -- not the result of works so that no one may boast."

Martin Luther said, "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace. It is so sure and certain that s person could stake his or her life on it a thousand times."

Faith will make the difference of whether or not our soul is fulfilled and at peace.