Faith

Faith’ is a very important word to Christians. It is a prerequisite for receiving the grace of God. As the Bible says, Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6). But how many true Christians have a strong faith? How can this seemingly intangible faith be made concrete? Examples from the Bible will tell us the true meaning of faith and testify to its importance.

Faith By the Brook of Cherith

The wicked King Ahab of Israel (reigned Ca. 869-850 B.C.) and his wife, Jezebel, led the people of Israel away from the worship of YAHWEH and brought them to serve Baal, arousing the anger of God. God sent the prophet Elijah to announce the punishment that draught would come upon the land, unless King Ahab and all the people would turn away from idolatry.

The Lord told Elijah to go eastward and take shelter by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. There he would drink from the brook, and be fed by the ravens (1 Kgs 17:3-4). Elijah followed God’s instruction and stayed by the brook Cherith. His life was sustained by the divine arrangement. As we are well aware that faith means absolute trust in God’s words, it was here that Elijah manifested his faith. He relied totally on the survival plan of God and accepted his seemingly hopeless situation in stoic quietude. Centering his whole heart on God rather than ravens, Elijah exemplified an absolute belief in the words of God.

Faith - in Prison

During the apostolic era, the gospel was spread rapidly far and wide, but persecution also arose. James, one of the twelve apostles, was executed by Herod Agrippa and many others had to flee for life. Earlier while the persecution was intensified, the Council arrested Peter and arranged a public trial. But the wrongly accused apostle retained his great faith on the eve of his trial. In defiance of the impending death, he enjoyed an unusual tranquility in the Lord. Being bound with two chains, he could still fall asleep between two guarding soldiers. He remembered the words of the Lord, “whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his (physical) life for my sake will find it (eternal life)” (Mt 16:25). Peter’s imprisonment and tranquility in faith tell us that we will count our lives as of little value when we prefer to be with God.

Faith in the Stormy Sea

Once Jesus and His disciples were sailing on the sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep. Suddenly a great storm arose (Mt 8:24). The waves soon began to rock the boat. At this crucial moment, the disciples lost their faith. In desparation, they woke the Lord Jesus, saying, Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” (Mk 4:38). Alas, they seemed to have forgotten that, with the presence of the Lord, they would be protected from all adverse circumstances. Jesus manifested His power and glory in calming the storm, and rebuked His disciples in disappointment, Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” (Mk 4:40). They had been with Jesus and witnessed His miracles, but they did not have a genuine faith to totally trust God.

This incident makes us aware of how faith requires a complete calmness and trust in the presence of tribulations or dangers. One must wait for the Lord to manifest His mercy and glory, just as Moses exhorted the troubled Israelites when they were pursued by the Egyptians: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today” (Ex 14:1 3).

Our faith must be genuine, unchangeable and unshakable in the Lord. True faith is perfect and will have an amazing impact on our daily life. ‘Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Mt 21:22). The Lord says, ‘If you can! All things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:23).

Let us remember:

Faith is expressed by a total belief in God’s words, exercising no judgement on His ways from human assumption.

Faith is expressed by a conviction that our life is meaningless if the Lord is not the centre of our existence.

Faith means hope and reliance on the Lord, waiting calmly for His mercy and glory even in times of adversity.