DAY 20 - January 24 - The Faith to hold the Unknowable

Hebrews 11:1 NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Romans 4:16-18 TPT The promise depends on faith so that it can be experienced as a grace-gift, and now it extends to all the descendants of Abraham. This promise is not only meant for those who obey the law, but also to those who enter into the faith of Abraham, the father of us all. [17] That’s what the Scripture means when it says: “I have made you the father of many nations.” He is our example and father, for in God’s presence he believed that God can raise the dead and call into being things that don’t even exist yet. [18] Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass: “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!”

How can we, as humans, interact with the invisible realm? We do it through faith.

Faith is the ability to hold things, as yet unseen and unknowable, in our heart as if they were already visible for all to see. Our faith is the substance of all the things we still hope to see (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV). Faith is the evidence of what is real but still invisible.

Faith is the incredible gift given to us by God that allows us to “see” into the invisible realm. Not only that, it allows us to interact with things our eyes cannot see and achieve divine exploits based solely on our faith in God. Hebrews 11 lists several of these heroes of faith who accomplished incredible feats all because they believed God for impossible outcomes.

Mystery is not only about what is in the invisible realm, it is also about what might be inside of each of us if we were to fully believe the Word of God. Who would I become if I stepped out of the boat more often? How often have we surprised ourselves when we have done small acts of faith only to see incredible results to our obedience? The Lord is always willing to partner with us. When we take action in the visible realm, He will move in the invisible realm.

Why do we pray for the sick if we don’t expect to see the hand of God move in healing? How incredible to see someone set free from demonic oppression and strongholds because of our simple obedience to truth and faith that God is with us! When we partner or co-labor with the Lord, we must act in faith, believing that He is present and working, even though we mostly don’t see Him, just the results of His handiwork.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ broke death and established a doorway to supernatural activity and a transformed life. Through our inheritance as sons of God we are invited to participate in His Kingdom, which, you guessed it, is mostly invisible. We have permission to access realities that cannot be accessed any other way than through faith. We must believe God to gain admission to the realm of awe and wonder.

Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

2 Corinthians 4:13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

MEDITATION

• Review your personal faith journey. Think about the times you saw God moving in your life. Rate the strength and conviction of your faith.

• Faith is a spiritual commodity that can be great or small. It can also shrink or grow. What are you doing to grow your faith? Reflect on this quote by Bishop Joseph Garlington: “Faith is the currency of heaven. When you have it, you can go places and when you get there you can do things.”

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• Like money, faith grows when you invest it. Invest what faith you have in the kingdom of God. Using your faith in this way will cause it to grow. You will see spiritual increase. Faith only shrinks when you don’t use it.