Where is 0ur Faith
by Ron Scurfield
What do we wish for? Do we wish that things would be different in our lives? Or someone else’s life? Or wish we had something more, or were somewhere else, or that something would go away? I wish ... I wish ... Some people throw money down a well. Some cross their fingers. Some cry out in distress. But to what avail? Wishing doesn’t do anything or change anything. It’s basically just a strong emotion. It’s all centred around me - I wish, I want, I need.
Hope is much deeper. Hope has an element of possibility. It’s a strong desire with an expectation that it is reachable. Hope and aspiration are what many people build their lives upon. It’s scriptural. ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him’ (Romans 15:13). Jesus is our hope. ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’ Colossians 1:27). As the old hymn says: ’Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’
Faith is not a strengthened hope. Faith is not a determined wish. Sometimes we feel we haven’t enough faith to believe that something will come about. And yet we’re told that faith even as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 21:21). So, what is faith?
Hebrews 11:1 gives us the answer: ‘Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ I can hope for many things, but I’m not sure if they’ll happen. How can I be sure of something that might not come about? Where is my faith when times are hard?
The real question is, “Where do we place our faith?” Our faith must be in Jesus. Faith is not a special power given only to selected people. Faith is in an intimate relationship with Jesus, that we have a spiritual bond with Him and He with us. It’s all bound up in love - both ways. ‘Draw near to God and He will draw near to you’ (James 4:8).
This is the kind of relationship God desires to have with us. ‘We know that we live in him and he in us because He has given us of his Spirit’ (1 John 4:13). Then we will come to know His will and purpose for our lives as we are able relate to Him in all circumstances, especially during these testing times. Do we know Him? Do we love Him? This is the faith we can hold on to - faith in Him.
As we place our complete confidence in Him and live as much as we can within His principles, we can depend on His faithfulness and mercy. Let us then walk with confidence in the joy of His love and commit our ways to Him. He will not let us down. He has already told us that He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Can we trust Him?
Prayer: Dear Lord, please lift off the mist of confusion from my eyes so that I can see You more clearly. I choose to look up to You at all times, not down towards the circumstances, even though You sometimes seem so distant. I know You are with me always and will never let me go. Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ron Scurfield with his wife Jill, are part of the Associate Ministry Team at Ellel Grange and occasionally Ellel Scotland. Ron enjoys walking and writing and meeting interesting people, but his greatest joy is seeing God transform lives, setting people free to live the abundant life that Jesus intended.
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