Faith is not conjuring up, through an act of your will, a sense of certainty that something is going to happen. No, it is recognizing God's promise as an actual fact, believing it is true, rejoicing in the knowledge of that truth, and then simply resting because God said it. A promise is contingent upon our cooperation. People often pray for more faith, but what they are wanting is their faith to be changed to sight.
"Faith does not say, 'I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it.' Instead, faith declares, 'God sent it; therefore it must be good for me.' Faith, when walking through the dark with God, only asks Him to hold His hand more tightly. Phillips Brooks
The Shepherd does not ask of thee
Faith in your faith, but only faith in Him;
And this He meant in saying, "Come to me."
In light or darkness seek to do His will,
And leave the work of faith to Jesus still.
Such amazing words of encouragement and inspiration!
More thoughts on the subject:
"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Hab 2:4 NKJV
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7 NKJV
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1 NKJV
Faith or faithfulness (Gk. pistis) is defined by two words: "substance" (Gk. hupostasis, lit. "that which stands under") and "evidence" (Gk. elenchos, lit. "proof"). Faith then is the foundation for the Christian life and the means by which all unseen things are tested. "Faith" is the nominal form of the verb "to believe" (Gk. pisteuein). Faith, therefore, means trust or confidence in what God has promised, resulting in a life of faithfulness and perseverance. Faith is the only essential response to the grace of God (v.6). Justification is the result of that faith.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Heb 11:6 NKJV
Similar thoughts on the subject from my memory verses:
"Jesus said... 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 NKJV
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24 NKJV
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