Hebrews 11:1–6
Hebrews 11:1–6 (NKJV)

By Faith We Understand

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6But 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.

Romans 12:3
Romans 12:3 (NKJV)

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Timothy 6:12
1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Scripture readings

Devotional 📖

When you see the word ‘faith’, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

Maybe a feeling or maybe a situation where you had to use faith. However, faith is not a feeling. Faith, in Bible terms, is an obedient action that we take based on our convictions from Scripture.

Faith is the reliance and trust in God’s ability and His integrity. The scripture tells us that God is not a man that He should lie and that He is able to do what He says He can. Because of this we can have an enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God.

Where does faith come from?

The Bible shows us that each of us are given a measure of faith at salvation. The faith we have to even believe God exists is given to us by God Himself!

That being said, God still gives us the responsibility to build this faith.

Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 

Faith can be built! Reading and listening to stories of how others conquered can help you to overcome too. This is why spending time in the word of God is so important. It helps us fight the lies of the enemy by building up this shield of faith. 

Why is faith important? 

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith we cannot please God or even come to Him. Faith helps you see who God is and take Him at His word. When we have faith, we move in obedience to His law and this pleases the heart of God.

The opposite of faith is unbelief. Unbelief is a disease in the heart of man. It stops us from seeing God clearly and ultimately leads to disobedience. Every time we’ve refused to obey the voice of God we can trace it down to its root: unbelief. We don’t believe He’s faithful to complete what He starts, or that He’s kind and loving and has good plans for us, and this makes us walk contrary to what He’s asked of us.

Faith is a fight for whose report you’re gonna believe. Are you gonna believe what the word says or what the enemy/your family/your partner says? The fight of faith is fought by the word of God. If you are bankrupt of the knowledge of the word of God you immediately become a victim of the enemy. In ignorance, the believer remains defeated, even though a believer.

Hosea 4:6a NKJV - 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…’

Oftentimes we lack faith because we are so eager to see the unseen before we believe. Our desire for clarity can weaken our faith. Faith believes those things hoped for ARE a reality. We may not see it immediately, and may even die having never seen the promise, like those in the Old testament, however, we must go to glory believing that God will fulfil His promise like He said He would. It’s important we understand that living by faith does not guarantee an easy life but it guarantees His favour on everything you do. The reward for obedience is more of Him, and this is favour, that He is with you!

Luke 1:28 NKJV - 'And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”' 

Prayer 🙏

Write your own prayer to the Lord today. Ask Him to help you build your faith through the word.

  • Watch a video on faith here