Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
Hebrews 11:1-3
Pastor John Writes:
Prayer is asking for rain. Faith is carrying an umbrella. Faith is under-standing that we might not always know where the journey might take us, but we take the next step anyway.
Hebrews 11 describes the faith of Abraham. Abraham had been called by God in Genesis to “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Instead of trying to argue with God, or question God, or disobey God, Abraham simply “left his own country without knowing where he was going.” Despite having a comfortable, successful life in Haran, Abraham was able to set off to an unknown place. By faith, Abraham trusted in God, lived as a foreigner in a strange land, and persevered in a life of faithfulness.
Faith is trusting in the promises of God. Faith enables us to be confident in the knowledge that even in the most confusing, troubling, and unfair times, we continue to be held in the hands of a God who loves us and cares for us deeply. Remember that through Jesus, we have the perfect example of what it means to have faith. By faith, he carried out his work in an unfair world, opening the path for each of us to new life.
Abraham was able to have faith that God would fulfill many promises and make him the father of many nations, even though he was old and childless. Our faith helps us to trust in God and endure challenging times, even when we cannot see an immediate outcome. May the faith of Abraham, and many others, inspire us to grow in our faith and trust in God more fully. Blessed be God, who remains faithful to us, and who gives us all strength, hope, and endurance, day after day.
Peace to you,
The Rev. John G. Rights
