Faith's Foundation

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)

If our faith is to have a firm foundation we must be convinced beyond any possible doubt that God is altogether worthy of our trust.

As long as we question the wisdom of any of God's ways our faith is still tentative and uncertain. While we are able to understand, we are not quite believing. Faith enters when there is no supporting evidence to corroborate God's word of promise and we must put our confidence blindly in the character of the One who made the promise.

Remember that faith is not a noble quality found only in superior men. It is not a virtue attainable by a limited few. It is not the ability to persuade ourselves that black is white or that something we desire will come to pass if we only wish hard enough. Faith is simply the bringing of our minds into accord with the truth. It is adjusting our expectations to the promises of God in complete assurance that the God of the whole earth cannot lie.

A promise is only as good as the one who made it, but it  is as good, and from this knowledge springs our assurance. By cultivating the knowledge of God we are at the same time cultivate our faith.

Lord, as I come to know You more fully, I have every reason to place implicit trust in You and Your promises. Thank You for the firm foundation of my faith. Amen

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Faith Rests on Character

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2)

I have heard ministers say that if the people in their congregations would memorize more Bible promises, they would immediately have more faith. Yes and no.

Study the Scriptures and you will find that we are not going to have more faith by counting the promises of God. Faith does not rest upon promises. Faith rests upon character. Faith must rest in confidence upon the One who makes the promises.

Faith says, "God is God! He is the holy God who cannot lie. He is the God who is infinitely honest - he has never cheated anyone. He is the God who is faithful and true!"

Yes, we must be concerned with the person and character of God and not just with His promises. Through promises we learn what God has willed to us, we learn what we may claim as our heritage, we learn how we should pray. But faith itself must rest upon the character of our God.

When I think of the angels in heaven who veil their faces before the holy God  who is totally truthful, I wonder why every preacher does not begin preaching about God - who He is, His attributes, His perfection, His being and why we love Him and why we should trust Him!

Lord, make Your good and holy character always visible to me so that I may know You more and trust You completely. Amen

~A. W. Tozer~