Faith! What is Faith?

Grapple: How have you exercised Faith in your life?

Faith /feɪθ/

According to the online dictionary, Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. The second definition says faith is a strong belief in the doctrine of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

According to the Bible in Hebrews 11: 1, it defines faith this way, ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’. Hebrews 11 is the hall of faith. In this chapter, you get to read about amazing men and women who had great, crazy, audacious faith in God. I would like to write more about these great men and women of God. However, for now, allow me to write about Abraham.

There is so much that has been said and written about Abraham as a man of God and more importantly as a Father of faith. Today I would like to just highlight a fraction of Abraham’s life and faith.

22 Interesting Facts About Abraham

1. Abraham was a descendant of Shem who was one of Noah’s son. Genesis 11:10-32.
2. Abraham’s father was Terah.
3. He was called Abram before God changed his name to Abraham in Genesis 17:3-6. Sarai, Abraham's wife’s name was also changed to Sarah. Genesis 17:15-16
4. He left his home country together with the wife and his relative Lot to dwell in a foreign country as commanded by God. Genesis 12:1-9
5. God promised Abraham that He will make him a great nation. Genesis 12:2-3
6. Abram told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister and not his wife so that he won’t be killed. Genesis 12:10-20
7. God blessed Abram with wealth. Abram separated with Lot because they were blessed with a large herd of livestock but limited space. Genesis 13
8. God enabled Abram to rescue Lot from King Kedorlaomer and his allies after Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboyim, and Bella rebelled against their rule on them. Genesis 14
9. Abram’s belief in the Lord was credited to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6
10.  God made ‘The Covenant’ with Abram through a burnt offering. Genesis 15
11.  After Sarah’s suggestion, Abraham had a son with Hagar and was named Ishmael. Genesis 16
12. As directed by God, Abraham circumcised all the male boys and men as a sign of a covenant between God and him. Genesis 17
13. Three angels from the Lord visited Abraham and Sarah to remind them of God’s promise to give them a son in a years’ time. Genesis 18:1-15
14. Abraham pleaded with God against destroying Sodom, for the sake of the righteous. Genesis 18:16-33
15. Abraham told Abimelek that Sarah was his sister and not his wife. God plagued Abimelek for taking Abraham’s wife. Abraham prayed to God and the Lord healed Abimelek. Genesis 20
16. God blesses Abraham and Sarah with a son- Isaac. Genesis 21:1-7
17. Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away after Sarah was mocked by Hagar’s son. Genesis 21:8-21
18. Abraham made a treaty with Abimelek’s servant concerning the well he had dug. Genesis 21:22-34
19. God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. When he was about to do so, God provided a ram. Genesis 22:1-19 
20. Abraham’s wife Sarah dies, he purchases a piece of land from Ephron the Hittite so that he could bury the wife. Genesis 23:1-20
21. Abraham sent one of his senior servants to his home country in Aram Naharaim- Nahor, to get a wife from his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant got Rebekah for Isaac. Genesis 24:1-67
22. Abraham left everything he had to Isaac and he sent his concubines and their sons away with gifts. Then Abraham breathed his last. Genesis 25:1-11

7 Lessons about Abraham’s Faith from Romans 4:1-25

1. Abraham was justified by work Vs.2a. This is a unique statement because in Ephesians 2:8-9 says, ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast’. My question would be, how comes Abraham was justified by works?
2.  Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness Vs.3-5. Was it because he did not work? And what did he not work for? Was it because he trusted God who justifies the ungodly? Is our righteousness credited apart from our works? Then does this mean that our righteousness is not brought about by works but by faith in Christ?
3. Under what circumstances was Abraham’s righteousness credited? Vs. 10. Abraham was credited as righteous before he was circumcised. What does this tell you about God?
4.  Circumcision was a sign, a seal of righteousness to show that Abraham had faith while he was still uncircumcised. Vs. 11
5.  He is the father of all who believe and are not circumcised. Vs. 11-12. Does this mean that he is the father to the gentile who believe in Christ without circumcision? Today, how could we refer to Abraham the father to whom? Gentiles? Sinners? Unbelievers? Who?
6.  Despite his age and Sarah’s womb being dead, he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Vs. 19-21
7.  This is why it was credited to him as righteous. This was written to us too who believe in Christ, we will be credited as righteous.

What are you trusting God for in Faith?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, how many times have I wavered through unbelief regarding the promises you have given me? Save me from my unbelief. May I have unwavering faith in You just like Abraham. In Your name, I pray Amen.