By Allen White
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
Abraham had faith based on God’s promises to him in Genesis
12:1-3. Abraham didn’t have “sight.” God gave the promise of making Abraham
into a great nation, but at the time Abraham didn’t have any children. God gave
Abraham a promise of making his name great and of being a blessing to all
peoples. Abraham didn’t even have a square foot of land or a place to park his
camel. Abraham started his journey with plenty of faith, but absolutely no
“sight.”
Faith and Sight relate like light and darkness. When we
enter a dark room and flip on the light, darkness is quickly overcome by light.
When we have sight, whether we call it proof, evidence, miracle or fulfillment,
we no longer need faith for that thing to happen. If we believe that God will
provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19) and our needs are met,
then we don’t need faith for that. We don’t need faith for something we can actually see.
We hear people talk about the great faith that produces
miracles (sight). The reality is that “Sight” doesn’t come from great faith.
When we gain “sight,” we no longer need faith. It’s when we lack sight, when
we’re unsure, when we reach our wit’s end (or as John of the Cross calls it
“the Wall”), that is when we need faith.
What is faith? Faith is not believing something so strongly
that it comes into reality. I could work myself up into an emotional froth believing
that my car was red, but at the end of the day, it will still be black.
Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 12:9).
Faith is assurance and certainty when we lack sight (Hebrews 11:1). Faith
doesn’t make anything less real. Faith
shows that God and all that He promises is real.
What do you need faith for today? Ask God. He will give you
the faith you need (Romans 12:3).
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by
International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights
reserved.
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