We tend to live life by sight. "I’ll believe it when I see it," people often say. But the Bible turns conventional wisdom on its head. Through faith, we realize that what we see with our eyes is actually transient, while what is unseen is eternal and real.
Since "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6), we must ask: how do we equip ourselves with faith, to be close to God? Verse 6 goes on to explain that "he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." "He who comes to God" is the person who prays to God. Prayer is our means of seeking God, the channel by which we reach Him who is unseen. So long as we pray believing in Him, then we will not go away empty.
Hannah was barren, which in her time was a woman’s shame. Even though her husband loved her more than anything else, she could derive only limited comfort from him. But Hannah had faith and poured out her soul to God at His temple. She left in peace, believing in the grace of an unseen God. Sure enough, God answered her prayer and she bore Samuel, who became a servant of the Lord.
Faith does not equal self-confidence. Our assurance is not in ourselves, but rather in our hearts we believe that God is going to answer our prayers. And the longer we pray, the surer we are. Why? Because everything has God’s timing; the longer we pray, the closer we are to God’s timing.
Anytime we are in trouble, we have to believe in our Father in Heaven. Even though we have a biological father, he cannot always help us, and can only try to comfort us. Yet the Lord is able to say, "Go in peace, your faith has saved you." Even though we don’t see Jesus today, if we come to Him with faith, with prayer, we will be blessed with His peace and the rewards of His promise.
"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." (Hebrews 10:35)
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