Hope and Faith

I was listening to an old sermon the other day, during which a conversation was recounted that made me think. A grieving man was talking to his pastor; he had prayed for a long time for God to intervene in a dire situation, praying for a miracle that would have saved someone’s life. The miracle didn’t happen, despite his believing he was standing in faith for the victory.

While I sympathised with the man in the story, it became a challenge to my heart to better understand the dynamic of faith, especially if we are to take the words of Jesus seriously.

“Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)

Jesus himself spoke that nothing will be impossible to anyone who has faith – even faith the size of a tiny seed. I, too, have believed with all my heart that a circumstance will turn out in one way or other – and yet it all happened very differently. I knew when I prayed something shifted – but the answer to my prayer would not be seen for many seasons after. We can believe that great things will happen and not see the outcome we expect. So, despite my firm hope, it would seem that I was not in faith. So, that raises the question – what is faith if it is more than firm and solid hope?

When we became Christians, we stepped from something theoretical into something real. We all knew the concept of God; even when we hear of Easter or Jesus’ life, we are hearing mere words describing something much deeper. Before we were dead in sin, but we became alive in Christ – we were awakened by Jesus call in the Spirit and we answered Him. 

I love theology – I love studying His word, and even reading the revelations of other theologians. Despite all this knowledge, the Kingdom of God is mystery. It explains a reality that can only be defined in a limited way logically but is best known dynamically and relationally. Throughout history, saints have known the deep personal knowledge of a personable, relatable God that transcends (but does not contradict) the written Word. Theology can be a deeply cognitive endeavour, and hope is an emotional, soul-driven concept. But faith is a concept that goes beyond thought and heart, and, through the Spirit, is in union with the one in whom all things are possible.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-2)

The writer of Hebrews knew this. Faith is not hope; it is the assurance of our hope. It is not knowledge; it is conviction. These things are not the same, but they are God’s responses to our hope and desire for understanding. We cannot make faith; we can only  hope, as faith is not something we can do, but He can do in us. It is no doubt impossible to receive faith without first having hope.

So, how could Jesus rebuke his disciples for their lack of faith? In that moment, faith was available to them, but they did not perceive it. It is not a mechanical device, but relational and spiritual. It could only come from the Father, and only through prayer (dialogue).

Only the chapter before had Jesus commended Peter for knowing something that only God could have told him.

I personally have experienced it – I have faced a problem on my own, in my own ‘hope’ thinking it was faith – and yet my own fear of rejection was stopping me from going before the Father. There is a vulnerability that comes with stepping beyond your hope and your list of acceptable outcomes, and placing hope in God, whatever the outcome. God’s ways are not always ours, and in dire circumstances, uncertainty can inspire thoughts about painful outcomes too scary to consider. More often than not, though, His outcomes are more profoundly good and glorious than we could ever imagine. After all, no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly, and blessed is the one who trusts in Him (Psalm 84:11-12)

To end, I know of circumstances where someone has been shamed for 

not experiencing a miracle. I think we need to have more humility than that. Nobody can create faith; only to stand in the expectation and hope in which faith can exist.

And, if you have tried to stand in faith and lost – do not lose hope, or pray that your hope will be restored. Hope has more importance than you could ever imagine. I truly believe God is a good God who has good plans for us, His children and will restore hope if we ask.

Finally, our hope should not be in an outcome – in wealth or comfort – but in Him. He causes all things to work for our Good, but also has good things for you to step into and do for Him.