Hebrews 11: What is Faith?
What is faith? How am I supposed to have faith?
Common questions that fill your mind when you hear the word faith. Hebrews 11 dives straight into what faith truly is, and then follows with examples of people of great faith.
As you read through this passage you see that faith is not something that comes naturally to us humans with hearts of flesh. Having our trust fully in God, knowing that he knows best, will enable us to find that faith in him that we so desire.
Start by reading Hebrews 11.
So, what is faith?
Faith is believing, hoping, and trusting something that you cannot see (verse 1). By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God (see Genesis 1), so what is seen is not made out of something/things that are visible (verse 3).
By faith we have been saved. We believe through faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Therefore, we have been justified and have peace with God through Jesus.
We can rejoice in hope!
Hearing these words provides such encouragement, but when times of struggle and heartache come into our lives, we can slowly find ourselves drifting away from God. In other words, we start to lose faith.
It can be so hard to have faith in times like these in someone you cannot see. God feels so far away. He feels silent.
Faith is the start of a relationship with God. Putting your full trust in him knowing that your life situations are fully out of your control and completely in his control.
Pray to God. Prayer is a sign of surrender. When you pray, you are saying “Lord, I need you. I need your help. Lead me, guide me into your will.”
Prayer also recognizes that you have faith that God hears your prayers (See Jeremiah 29:12-14 and Jeremiah 33:3)
By faith Moses chose to be mistreated by the Egyptians and follow God rather than enjoying the pleasures of the life he lived in Egypt (Hebrews 11: 24-25). Because of his faith and obedience to God, he was able to deliver his people from the hands of the Egyptians. By faith Abraham and Sarah were given the power to conceive, and through one man were born many descendants as many as the stars in heaven (Hebrews 11:12).
By faith we are made strong in weakness and can face anything. This life is far from perfect. We all need God for he has a plan and a purpose for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).
As hard as it may be at times, I encourage you to not worry about your future (See Matthew 6:25-34), instead strive to put your faith in God and start living in the here and now. Let God lead you in his way and thank Him for his goodness.
Discussion Questions
What does Faith mean to me?
Do I have true faith in God knowing that he knows what is best for me?
Where do I turn in times of heartache?
Who or what do I praise in times of joy? Do I give all the Glory to God?
Don't wish for or worry about the future. Enjoy where you are in the here and now - living in answered prayers and blessings.
Hope this encourages you! Make sure to grab the Hebrews 11 bible study guide.