How do we Strengthen our Faith?

This week I have been dwelling on faith building and how we strengthen our faith.

Hebrew 11:1 tells us “faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (NIV Heb 11:1).

Events like the war between Russia and Ukraine, the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, recent floods in our own country and workers strikes in London challenges us and brings our faith into the limelight.

The dictionary defines faith as “belief in and devotion to God.” The Bible has much more to say about faith and how important it is. In fact, it is so important that, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

There are many stories in the Bible of men and women of faith. The one I have been dwelling on is Caleb (from the tribe of Judah) and Joshua (from the tribe of Ephraim) and their faith in the Lord to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Numbers 13). 12 were sent out to spy the land but only those 2 came back positive and full of faith that they could do it. The people’s faith was challenged by the stories of the other ten members of the spying party. They listened to them and their stories of strong men/giants and became scared and afraid. But Caleb and Joshua stood firm in their faith. Those that doubted missed out on the blessings of God and the promises he had for them.

Read the account in Number 13. (snippets of the conversation below)

“We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. ….“ they are stronger than we are.”… “The land devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

Caleb and Joshua’s faith is an encouragement to us today. We need to focus on God and not the surrounding circumstances. Be strong in your faith, don’t listen to naysayers or those that put you down. If the Lord has placed a message in your heart to do something…… Do It ! Your circumstance can look impossible but with God all things are possible. We are to walk by faith and not by sight (1 Corinthians 5:7)