Thoughts on Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and being certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Faith is not anti-intellectual, it's active confidence in God's Word. It's not escapism or pie in the sky thinking. Faith is believing the Word of God. Faith is what I hold onto while I wait for God to act.

"Lord you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations" Psalm 90:1
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."     Psalm 46:1

Titus 1:2 tells us God cannot lie.

Matthew 11: 28-30 says " Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:8

1 John 5:4 tells us faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

These are just a few scriptures I noted during a study on faith by James MacDonald. Why do we Christians find it hard to believe and trust in a God who created the universe and everything in it? Who created it without any help from any of us, and then created us! A God who has been our dwelling place, our refuge and help in times of trouble for generations. A God who is always faithful and never disappoints. Who promises to supply our needs. Who cannot lie. Who promises to work everything out for our good. He doesn't promise a life without trouble but just the opposite. He says we will share in His sufferings. The world will hate us as it hated Him. That in this world we will have tribulation, troubles and that offenses would come. But that He will be with us always.
So, why are we surprised when trouble comes? He said it would. Why can't we believe Him when He says He'll see us through it?
Maybe it's because we like to be in control. What is it that makes us think we know better than Jesus? Jesus wants us to pass Him the reins of our lives and that's the part that's hard for us to do. Maybe it's because we think we don't deserve to have things provided for us. That we think we need to work for everything we get.  Maybe it's just pride.
It should be a no-brainer, and it will only get easier the more we get to know Jesus. We get to know Him by reading His Word and seeing how He's helped, provided and protected others in times of trouble. Our faith will be increased as we confess it to others, telling others what Jesus has done for us. Our faith will be increased by walking it out.  The Bible says all things are possible to those who believe, Mark 9 :23. The Bible also says that without faith it is impossible to please God. It sounds so simple. Why is it so hard?
Could it be that we simply don't believe and trust Jesus as we should? That's pretty much what it comes down to isn't it?
We have a God who loves us so much that He gave up His only Son Jesus to die on our behalf, so that  through believing in Him we might be saved, and pass from death unto life. How can we not trust in a God that loves us more than we can ever imagine, and wants nothing but the best for us? Really, how can we not trust Him?
Father, please forgive and help our unbelief... help us to believe your Word, and act on it no matter how we feel... Help us to see that faith is not just a part of the Christian life, it is the Christian life!