“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 [KJV]
To obey the Lord’s calling you are obliged to act positively to understand the call. Faith doesn’t wait for clearness or explanation. You have to step up to the plate because the Lord is calling on you. When God calls, he walks with you all the way through the assignment.
The book of Hebrews Chapter 11 is known as the “faith chapter.” It tells us that “faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” [Hebrews 11:1]. Faith is not “seeing is believing.” But it is first “believing” and then “seeing.” If you don’t get this in your spirit and act, you will miss the target.
You don’t wait in anticipation to make judgment for you to obey God’s instruction or command. The Bible tells us that there were men and women of faith that obeyed God’s command and they did exactly so. They were blessed from their generation to-date.
So, let us look at the comprehension of faith through the lenses of Hebrews Chapter 11:6 which states that, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” The verse is not saying that it’s hard to please God without faith. It is rather saying it’s impossible. If we don’t have strong commitment and the desire to live as people of faith, we will be passengers in the bus which we are supposed to drive ourselves.
The things we wish (Hope) for begins with the conception of Faith. Another way to put it is that without Faith it is impossible to please God, and therefore your wishes (Hope) are also impossible to achieve.
As stated above, the Scripture cites many examples of men and women of faith from an array of background. They were all different from various places, but they all had one thing in common, that is they were true men and women of faith.
Consequently, we can learn from these men and women of faith by educating ourselves how these faithful ones built their divine faith in the Lord to press forward Gods’ plan for mankind.
Many of these men and women of faith developed their faith through hard times or to some extent. Through it all, the Lord God shaped them, and sharpened them into dependable and honest men and women of faith.
In brief, Faith is proven when you move. Take the step of faith, trust the Lord to accomplish what your hope is (wish) and God will meet you with strength, provision, and direction.
If Abraham had refused to answer the Lords call, the nations of the world would have been different – that is without the Abrahamic covenant for the world.
In Genesis Chapter 15:6, we learn that Abraham was the first person said to be made righteous by his faith. When God said to him to move, Abraham moved with faith from the land of his birth to an unknown land. And when God promised to give him a son in his old age, Abraham took Him at His Word, no question asked.
A reminder: If Noah had waited for the rain to fall, he never would’ve built the ark.
If Peter had waited for calm waters, he never would’ve walked.
Mark had a rough start, but God shaped him into a truthful and honorable man of faith.
Deborah, the Judge stepped into a position held by men before Israel even had judges.
Queen Esther stepped up with faith and courage to save Israel- God was ready to move and Esther eventually decided to move with him with faith.
Mary, the mother of Jesus was young when God chose her to carry the baby that would save the world. Mary witnessed the crucifixion of Christ but her faith carried her through the horror.
This is Faith and Hope.