Faith: Trusting God at His Word
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Or, in The Message paraphrase: “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we cannot see.”
Faith is trust—trust in God, trust in who He says He is, and trust that what He said He will do, He will do. In the Greek, the word is pistis: a conviction of the truth of anything, belief, fidelity, faithfulness—the character of one who can be relied on.
I grew up in church. Literally. As a little girl, I slept on and under the pews most Sundays. We were there every service—three times on Sunday (including kids’ church before the main service), Wednesday evenings, and Friday youth once I was a teenager. Missing church wasn’t an option unless we were on vacation or contagious with something. I knew about God. I believed He existed. I believed Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I was baptized and baptized in the Holy Spirit. I read the Bible and prayed most days.
But I wouldn’t have called myself a disciple of Jesus.
Then came the day I looked at my life and realized I wasn’t happy with where I was or who I was becoming. I went to God and said, “There has to be more. I want the more. I want everything You’ve promised in Your Word. I want to live in the reality of it now—not just one day in Heaven.” So I rededicated my life and made a decision: Whatever is written in the Bible, I will believe that it is the inspired by God for my instruction as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16. What the Word says about God, I will believe. I will take Him at His Word.
That decision started my real journey of getting to know God personally—not through what others told me about Him, but directly through His Word.
The best place to know God is the Bible. In the Old Testament, we see Him as “I AM WHO I AM,” the Creator of the world and of man. We watch Him lead and guide a nation through kings, priests, judges—and a stubborn people who kept choosing their own way instead. In the New Testament, we meet Him through Jesus. Jesus shows us the Father as He always wanted to be known from the beginning. We see God’s real heart: love, kindness, goodness, and a deep longing for relationship with His people.
Romans 10:17 (AMPC) tells us exactly how faith grows: “So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).”
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God—the message preached by Christ Himself. Spending time in the Bible doesn’t just build faith; it renews our mind, which is essential for living in the abundant life Jesus came to give (John 10:10).
Faith is also how we are saved: “By grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). By trusting the Word, we receive grace and believe on the name of Jesus, and that brings salvation.
The Bible is full of faith—more than 700 scriptures speak to it. By faith Abraham left everything familiar to go to a land God promised. God called Moses faithful (Numbers 12:7). God calls Himself faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9). In the Gospels, Jesus healed people according to their faith again and again. But in Nazareth, He could do few miracles because of their unbelief (which is not a lack of belief, but rather a contrary belief). They couldn’t reconcile the Jesus they watched grow up with the miracle-working Son of God standing before them.
I think that’s where many of us get stuck. Religion has told us things about Jesus—often based on experience rather than Scripture. Religion says healing doesn’t always manifest, even though the Word clearly shows Jesus healed all who came to Him. For me, it comes down to one question: What does the Word say? What the Word says is what I choose to believe.
When I hear the Word, my faith is built. I gain assurance of the things hoped for and conviction of the things not seen. I don’t have to wait until I “feel” it or see it with my eyes. I take God at His Word now.
Let’s pray this together: “Father, thank You for Your Word that builds faith in me. I choose today to take You at Your Word. I believe what You say about Yourself, about me, and about what You’ve promised. Renew my mind as I hear Your message. Help me live in the reality of Your abundant life right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
What’s one promise from God’s Word you’re choosing to believe today, even when you can’t see it yet?
Keep hearing the Word. Faith is your firm foundation—and it’s growing stronger every time you listen.