Big Steps: Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:7
Suppose a father texts his daughter at college the following message: “I deposited $300 in your checking account for your textbooks.” What does the daughter do next? She goes to the bookstore and buys her textbooks. Did she see the $300? Did she even check her bank balance? No and no. She had faith that what her father had said was true—and she acted on her faith without ever seeing any proof.
The NET version of Hebrews 11:1 puts it this way: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” Faith is being sure and convinced of what we do not see. Jesus put it this way: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, ESV, emphasis added). “Have received it,” not “will receive it.” All a trusting daughter needed to do was message her father and believe she had (already) received the money.
It’s a big step to go from “will receive” to “have received” when we pray. But that is the step faith calls on us to take.
The beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
George Müller
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