When I woke up this morning, I knew it was Faith day. Not only because I want to share about it, but because I need a dose of it.
Faith is a hard thing to describe. It seems likes it’s one of those “you have it or you don’t” situations.
Faith is talked a lot about in the Bible and in Christian circles.
I’ve heard “You’ve gotta have faith!” more times than I like. And, besides being the lyrics to an epic George Michael song, what does it even mean?!?
If you’ve been in church or like some Jesus memes, I’m sure you’ve seen Hebrews 11:1~
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Has God told you something? Has He told you something that is to come to pass that you haven’t seen yet?
What do you do?
Do you worry and wail hoping it will actually happen?
Do you sit patiently and wait because God our Father told you it would happen?
What if there is a desire in your heart that you really want, and after praying you know that is what God has for you. But, you don’t see it?
“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.”
~ George Mueller
Have you heard of George Mueller? He is my favorite of the contemporary faith heroes! He lived in Bristol, England during the 1800s and founded 117 orphanages. He served 10,024 children during his lifetime, and fought for each one’s education opening schools to ensure they received a Christian education. If the children did not have food, Mr. Mueller prayed and in faith knew that by the end of the day, food or resources would be provided. And, you know what? It always was!
Mr. Mueller knew trials. I’m sure he knew that pang in his stomach. That feeling when you want something so badly it seems like the inner lining of your stomach is peeling off and turning inside out. I know that feeling. Do you?
Because faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR, the evidence of things NOT SEEN.
To me, faith is having hope even when we don’t see it — especially when we don’t see it. It’s that time in the passing when we wait and hope and pray and KNOW that God will come through.
Do you have faith today? Do you need a sprinkling of encouragement? Not everyone in the bible had faith. In fact, one very distraught Dad asked Jesus to give him some.
Here’s what happened! (Mark 9:17-24)
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Help our unbelief! Whatever you are believing for today have faith! God is with you. He wants you to succeed. You are His favorite son or daughter.
There’s another place in the Bible where some people needed faith. And, I’ve never thought about it this way before. Here’s John 2: 1 – 11:
2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman,[a why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Isn’t it great about Jesus’ mom? She knew what her son could do. And, Mary wasn’t a show off. She didn’t do this to make more wine and seem important.
She knew that sometimes faith needs a little push.
She knew all of his disciples — his friends. She’s a good mom! And, according to scripture, she–along with Jesus’ brothers–traveled with him and his disciples during this time.
So after 30 years of believing in God’s promises about her Son, she thought it was time to act. Or, maybe in all their travels, she’d heard the murmurings of a bunch of men who trusted in and left everything to serve alongside her son and now…
Maybe they had a little doubt, too. I little diminished faith crept into the plans. What they once thought was truth and light and REAL was now becoming a group of guys hanging out and going to weddings in Cana together.
Not very exciting I’m sure for a bunch of fellas determined this was the Son of God. But then…
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 2:11 NIV
His disciples believed! Can you hear the sigh of relief from his momma? And, probably Jesus, too! This was the first of all of those miracles that are so numerous the Bible cannot contain them all. (John 21:25)
Jesus has so many miracles for us today. And, He knows along the way we may lose our faith. He knows how it is. He was human, too, in all that divine. He sat and cried tears of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, remember?
Would you like to pray with me?
Father, we love you. Today, we ask for faith bigger than a mustard seed. Today, we ask for faith that moves the mountains in our lives. We ask for you, Father, to intercede, to go before us and to turn our water into wine. Help us believe, Father. Help us increase our faith. Because, with you, ANYTHING is possible!
Be blessed today. I can feel my faith growing already! Thanks, God!