We hear a lot of inspiring messages about faith, and most believers have a good “partial” knowledge of it, otherwise they couldn’t be saved! But when Jesus spoke things about faith, it seemed to be on another level than what we know. He taught that even the smallest faith could move mountains! That’s not likely to be a need for anyone reading this, but let’s look closer at why Jesus might have used such outrageous words.
The first clear example we see of faith in Scripture is when Abraham is called to leave his home for a land he’d never known, to raise up from a barren wife, a special people unto God! Abraham simply complied and God called it “righteousness!” Most of us would want a few more details than what seemed to accompany God’s directive to Abraham. Whether there was more or not, we don’t know, but the implication is used in Scripture to exemplify pleasing God with faith. In Abraham’s case, it came down to believing God. Today few people actually hear God’s voice for their instructions, but we do have His Word. Throughout Scripture, the Word is synonymous with the will and often the person of God. Most believers seeking God with pure motives, recognize faith as the means to pleasing God, rather than trying to manipulate Him. So, with no ulterior motives, let’s consider the virtues of “unfeigned faith” in God.
God, when introducing Himself to the Hebrew children, told Moses to simply tell them that His name was, “I AM!” The most important thing God wanted His children to focus on was His faithfulness, not theirs. Our Father, who went to radically loving measures to secure us, wants us to believe, unto solid knowledge, that He Is, and that He rules over all that affects us. In effect, it’s as though God is saying, you will see as much glorious manifestation of My presence and power as you believe exists! The closer the relationship with God our predecessors had in the Bible, the more unusual fruits we see of their faith. The greatest miracles found in Scripture were at the hand of Moses, who was called “God’s friend!” God yearns for those kinds of relationships today. Paul said “the knowledge of Christ Jesus” outshone everything else he’d ever known!
Faith, the fruit of knowing God. It is the substance of our Hope, and the evidence of our knowledge.
Forget worldly things, they’re all temporary. Focus on knowing Jesus, hearing Him and obeying what He’s said, as though He spoke to you this morning – He may have! We too can be “Friends of God!”
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Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
~John 15:14 KJV
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
~Hebrews 11:1 KJV
The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
~Exodus 33:11 KJV
And Abraham believed the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
~Genesis 15:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please him
~Hebrews 11:6a KJV
Forget the temporary things! 👏🏼 we all need to be reminded.
Terry, if it's okay, I shared your devotional on my personal Bible blog. I left a link to your devotional. I'll start doing that if that's okay. I enjoy your devotionals each morning.
If you're not okay with this I''ll take down the shared post from my blog.
G-D Bless, you.