What Is Faith?

Faith requires us to let go of what we see, think, and feel. Actually, faith is the opposite of sight.

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Many people pray, fully believing that God can help them. But when answers don’t come immediately, they give up. This impatience, coupled with taking matters back into our own hands, reveals a lack of faith. Contrary to popular belief, God never said, “He helps those who help themselves.”

Faith to Obey Leads to Blessings

When we read the Bible and attend church, we hear the Word of God. If we choose to obey it, the Holy Spirit will empower us by reminding us to alter course when we are outside the will of God. Our choosing to be within the will of God gives us blessings and protection.

“Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)

The story of Daniel in the lions’ den is a powerful example of unwavering faith.

During Daniels captivity time, the King issued a decree that forbade worshiping anyone other than King Darius. The punishment? Being thrown into a den of hungry lions.

Yet Daniel, a faithful servant of God, refused to compromise his faith. He continued to pray three times a day, honoring the Lord despite the life-threatening consequences. Yet Daniel knew the Commandments of the Lord and refused to go against God’s standards.

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…”(Exodus 20:3-5a)

When King Darius learned of Daniel’s defiance, he had no choice but to enforce the law. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. But, when we obey God, the consequences of our actions are on His hands. If God promises blessing for obedience in His Word, God will indeed bless obedience and we are not subject to the powers of evil. An evil person thrown into that lions den would’ve been eaten alive. But Daniel was not an evil person. He was a God fearing person and thus God saved Him.

God can’t change His mind. He said in Luke 11:28 that those who hear the Word and obey it will be blessed. The opposite of blessed is cursed, in other words, being subject to the evil in this world. If God changed His mind, it would alter the very world we live in. His standards are the foundation of the world.

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num 23:19)

The second miracle to this story is that King Darius witnessed the power of God when Daniel was spared and issued a new decree:

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His Kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end.He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26-28)

Faith to Follow Leads to Protection

Daniel’s story reminds us that there is more to simply believing in Jesus. In order to receive all He won for us at the cross, we must decide that God’s word is pure Truth and then agree to surrender to it. On the other hand, acknowledging Christ but choosing to live as we please leaves us spiritually unprotected. God reserves the right to withhold His protection if we rebel against Him. But when we choose His way, the Holy Spirit start to work on our conscience to make choices in line with God.

If we find ourselves far from God, He is always ready to welcome us back. The moment we decide to go beyond belief and commit to following Him, He pulls us out of confusion and destruction.

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” (Romans 8:1)

While we may still face the earthly consequences of past sins, God can use even our mistakes for good if we love God and choose to align our life with His purpose.

“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Are We Worshiping Something More Than God?

A good way to assess our priorities is to ask ourselves:

Do we work in a job that requires dishonesty?

Do we compromise our integrity for financial gain?

Do we place ministry before family?

Is God nudging us to change an aspect of our lives and we are ignoring it?

If we answer yes to any of these, we may be worshiping something—money, success, recognition, physical perfection etc more than God.

God’s ways are perfect and lead to joy, peace, and stability. The Lord eagerly waits for us to fully trust Him so that He can guide us into His blessings.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Faith in Action Brings Miracles

Throughout the Bible, faith is the catalyst for miracles:

“Take courage, daughter,” Jesus said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was cured from that very hour.” (Matthew 9:22)

“Then He touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith, it will be done to you.'” (Matthew 9:29)

“Go,” said Jesus. “Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at His word and departed.” (John 4:50)

Even in giving, God promises blessings:

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)

Faith isn’t about human knowledge and logic, it’s about trusting God even when we don’t see the outcome. When we align our lives with Him, the Holy Spirit moves in powerful ways.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

Faith in God will never fail. He protects and provides for His obedient followers.

Food for Thought,
Lisa