Trusting

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were nnot made by things that are visible.
Romans 11: 1-3 NKJV

What is it that we ultimately put our trust in?  One of the struggles I have with my faith is trusting in something I can't see.  However, I don't think I'm alone in this issue.  We humans can be pretty simplistic, if we see something in front of our noses, we can ultimately say "Hey, there's something here."  Yet, what happens when that "something" is nowhere to be seen?  Do we continue to hold fast to our senses and only believe only that which we see, or do we, as Romans 11:1 tells us, have faith in that in which we cannot see?  There are countless examples of measures of faith being exemplified in scripture.  The scriptures tell us  that our Lord Jesus died for our sins on that cross so long ago, and we believe despite not seeing the evidence.  The scriptures tell us of Abraham and his faith of trusting in God even to the point of sacraficing his only son, and we believe.  Who could forget Noah, who's faith in God prompted him to obey and build an ark when God had warned him of the impending flood?  We read of Noah, and we believe.

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power  of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  For with God nothing will be impossible."
Luke 1: 35-37 NKJV

In Luke 1:35 we see yet again another example of an opportunity to trust in something one cannot see.  The angel of the Lord has just told Mary that she will concieve in her the savior of all mankind.  Mary's response?  "How can this be?"  Briefly, we see that Mary was indeed like us today, not believing in that which she couldn't see.  However, Mary's response to the angel of the Lord ultimately proves her faith.

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word."  And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1: 38 NKJV

What did Mary do after the angel parted ways with her?  Well, she only went to visit Elizabeth!  See, not only did Mary confess with her words that she trusted in God, she immediately rushed to see Elizabeth to confirm what she's been told.  Now, some may see Mary's visit to Elizabeth as distrust in God, wanting to confirm his words for herself.  However, I look at this as Mary being anxious to see Gods word fullfiled.
We ourselves can learn much from the examples of those who have gone before us.  As I've mentioned, the scriptures are filled with those who have trusted in Gods spoken word.  Who, not seeing the physical evidence to confirm his word in front of them, chose to accept his word as true.  These people were not unlike us, being of the very same earthly vessels that we ourselves are.  Ultimately, they chose to trust in the word of the living God.  I've had my own struggles in my faith recently with my mothers illness, so I'm well aware of the battle each of us faces.  Do we trust in our fleshly senses, or do we believe in the word of God that it is he, and not we, who is in ultimately in control?

~Scott~