Faith Of The Fathers

Now faith is the substance 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 the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11: 1-3 NKJV

One of my favorite chapters of scripture has been Hebrews 11.  It is here where the author not only instructs us on faith, but tells of the faith of those who have gone before us.  We've all read of the faith of Enoch, Abraham and Noah and how the Lord rewarded their faith in Him.  However, I've also heard that phrase "You just need more faith" when faced with a difficult situation.  Personally, I think that this is a terrible thing to say to someone who is struggling, but that's just one mans opinion.  For nobody instructed Noah, Abraham or Sarah, when faced with difficult times, that they just "Needed to have more faith."  No, it seems that faith was not an issue for these children of God.  Which then begs the question, what is faith?  Is it something we are born with?  If so, how do we increase it when we need it most?  Well, I will venture to say that faith is indeed something that we are born with.  However, it is not necessarily something which comes easy for us.  Hence the admonishment of "You need more faith" we hear each time a well intentioned christian attempts to console us in hard times.  My usual response to such rubbish is to ask the person just how does one get "enough" faith.  In my experience,  I would define faith as...trust.  Abraham trusted that God would be true to his word of delivering a son in his old age.  Despite all weather indications, Noah trusted God when he was instructed to prepare for the flood.  I dare say that faith and trust go hand in hand.  However, the apostle James had a different take on this.

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  And he was called the friend of God.  You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
James 2: 20-24 NKJV

So, do we need to work for our faith?  I don't feel that this is what James was getting at.  For if we believe, if we trust in God to do as he promises, are we not showing works?   One good example is the chair that we sit in.  We have trust that it is there and that it will support us should we choose to sit on it.  What of that tree outside?  We trust that it is indeed there and that it will indeed provide shade for us.  These are all examples of Gods creation, and we trust that they were created by Him.  Again, trusting in what God has created.  Therefore, we have faith that God has indeed created all that we see.  So, what about the person who is struggling?  In this case faith can seem far off.  However, rest assured that we never "lose" our faith.  We just forget to utilize it.  In our hearts, we know that God exists and that He is true to His word.  Therefore, we can trust in Him above all else.

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and 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.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
Mark 11: 22-24 NKJV

Somone may say to you, "You just need more faith," but we already have that faith which we have searched for.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He has not forgotten our plight.  He only asks that we have faith, that we trust in Him.

~Scott~