What is faith?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. .~Hebrews 11:1

I read such a powerful statement about faith by Dr. Tony Evans that  caused me to pause, ponder and praise.  He  said, “Faith is not about how much you believe in what you believe. Faith is about believing that the One you believe in is believable.”  

So often I can twist myself into knots about faith because I keep thinking it has to do with me.  Faith has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God.  So, as it is written in Hebrews 11:1, I have confidence that things I am hoping for will happen because I am believing that God can do and will do what He has promised.

The subject or substance of my faith in not based on how much I pray or how hard I pray for  my hopes and desires, but rather coming to a place of acceptance and belief in the goodness and trustworthiness of God.  God is not man.  He does not lie and cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). He does what He says He will do.  His promises are always yes and amen. ( 2 Corinthians 1:20). I don’t have to waiver in my belief if I keep the object of my faith squarely on Him rather than my circumstances or limitations.

Here’s the fundamental question of faith for me.  Do I believe God?  Do I believe that He will provide for all of my needs?  If I do I will have peace when my circumstance would tell me otherwise because I am not trusting that I can figure it out or that someone will come through for me.  No, I will have peace because I believing that God will come through for me because He said He would.  ( Philippians 4:19)

Do I believe that He has all authority and power? If I do, I will submit to His authority and do what He tells me to do even when intellectually it may not makes sense to me because it is beyond my comprehension.  I will be reminded that His ways are far above mine and my ways are not like His. ( Job 42:2;Isaiah 55:8-9)

Do I believe that He is righteous? Then I will trust His decisions. His judgement is never wrong or false.  I will not be frantic over who is getting away with what or waste time worrying enemies because will vindicate me. ( Psalm 119:7; Psalm 138:8)

Do I believe that God is good and loving?  Then I will rest at ease knowing that whatever I am going through is being worked out for my good and His glory.  I will be encouraged in the midst of the storm, When my faith is misplaced I am always disappointed. (Romans 8:28)

When I believe that God is who He says He is the burden is off of me.  My yoke is easy because I lay it all at His feet. He is my hope.  He is my confidence.  He is my promise, my yes and amen.

Father, thank You for being God. Thank You for the assurance of you.  Lord, may I walk in faith trusting that You will get me where I need to be when I need to be there.  Lord, may I stop striving and simply rest in You.  May I be still and watch You work.  You are glorious Lord.  Your work is beautiful and I love.  Keep my faith in right place- in You.  In Jesus name. Amen