Believing is not seeing
How do you survive a pandemic? The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians to teach and encourage them to survive intense suffering by living by faith rather than sight. Living by faith pleases God and grows us and the people we love. But what is the faith that pleases God? There are multitudes of counterfeit versions of faith even in our churches. We need to understand what genuine faith is and what it is not, so that we can discern beliefs and practices that draw us away from God - and avoid them. Living by true faith gives meaning and purpose to our suffering and glorifies God.
Scripture
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV
Bible Study Questions
Scripture reminds us that we should live in a way that is pleasing to God, whatever our circumstances. Why should we be careful to do this especially during difficult times (2 Corinthians 5:7-10)
Living by faith and not by sight can mean trusting God before we can know the outcome. It can be even harder to trust Him when things are happening in a way we do not understand, where we cannot see how things could possibly work out well. Do you think people trusted and understood that God was in control as our Lord Jesus hung on the cross? ( 1 Corinthians 2:8-9)
Our Lord Jesus teaches us that our prayers will be answered when we believe (Mark 11:22-24). What else is necessary according to James 4:3-4 and 1 John 5:14-15?
When Jesus Christ teaches His disciples to pray, He tells them to first pray for God’s glory, and for God’s will to be done. We sometimes reduce prayer to what we do to ask God to change our circumstances. If God already knows what we need before we pray, then what (or who) needs to change rather than just our circumstances? (Matthew 6:7-8)
Hebrews 1:3 records that God created the universe by speaking it into existence. Who is the only One who can speak anything into existence? (Lamentations 3:37)
While we can declare God’s Word, we should not declare our desires as if by speaking them we can bring them into existence. Apart from humble reliance on God and giving Him all the glory, why else is it better to allow God to come up with the solutions rather than telling Him what we believe He should do? (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Rather than just having faith in our requests being granted, what is the first of the three attributes of God that true faith believe in? (Hebrews 11:3)
What is the second attribute of God that we can trust in, even when we can’t see what He’s doing or why? (Hebrews 6:17)
What is the third attribute of God on which we can securely believe in all circumstances? (Job 26:14)
Prayer
Dear Father God, please forgive us when we trust in our own solutions rather than in Your Word, Character and Power. Please help us to focus on who You are when we cannot see what You are doing nor understand why. Thank You that we can ask You for everything, from the smallest detail to the greatest, but please help us to ask humbly and to be fully persuaded of Your ability to do it. Please help us Father, when we’re disappointed, hurt or even crushed by events that didn’t go as we had hoped, planned or pleaded for. Remind us Father that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You and who are called according to Your purpose. Thank You Father in Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Trust in You: Lauren Daigle
Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see
I've tried to win this war, I confess
My hands are weary, I need Your rest
Mighty warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You're by my side
When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead You have not seen
So in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want, Lord, and nothing less
When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood
Service
What makes God unique is that we can always trust in His Word, His character and His power. When we draw alongside those we love, in their time of need or space of hurt, we can gently remind them of these attributes. We can never answer the tough questions of why God allows painful and evil situations, but we can point others to His promises, His goodness, mercy and justice, and finally to His awesome and breathtaking power. Pray that the Father would help us to encourage each other in these difficult times to hold on to our faith in Him.