Faith knows . . .

READ Matthew 17–20

Just as the word love is used in many ways, so is the word faith. A few quotes reveal that not all ideas about faith are biblical. For instance, “Faith is unquestioning belief” yet people of faith find that God does not answer all our questions.

Even though people of faith don’t know everything, faith is a type of knowing. Joni Eareckson Tada says it this way: “Faith means being sure of what we hope for now. It means knowing something is real, this moment, all around you, even when you don't see it." Her definition is biblical: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

This is not a ‘hope so’ attitude, nor is it presumption. It is that inner knowing that may or may not make sense at the time, yet it cannot be shaken. Hebrews 11:6 describes how it begins: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

This certainty the Bible calls faith is a gift from God, a granted ability to believe what He says, trusting it to be true because God does not lie. This is not the normal condition of humanity. In Eden, Satan’s lie was a suggestion that God does not want the best for His people. Eve fell for it and did what God said not to do. That pattern still exists and is only changed by giving up all attempts to establish my own righteousness and receiving all I need from God . . .

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

This gift is in the person of Jesus Christ. Through Him, and through His presence, I know things that He reveals, things that I could not see or understand without Him. This kind of faith goes beyond knowing God exists (even the demons know that) to knowing He rewards those who seek Him, to knowing He is good and truthful and can be trusted. This is not a natural knowing but a wonderous gift.

Jesus demonstrated faith when a man asked Him to heal his son. The disciples asked Him why they could not do it and He replied: “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of 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 17:14–20) Knowing I could move a mountain would never happen unless God gave me that knowing!

This kind of faith is shown when Jesus said things like, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 17:22–23) How did He know that?

His faith showed up when Peter thought He would pay the temple tax. After correcting his assumption, Jesus said, “However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” (Matthew 17:25–27) How did Jesus know that? He could not see it nor was it a natural occurrence.

The NT often connects faith to knowing the will of God and praying for it to happen. In the same way, Jesus often expressed future events in terms revealing that He knew they would happen. He often repeated what would happen to Him, such as: “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 20:17–19)

My first experience to this knowing by faith was not so traumatic. We were moving and told of a particular house available to rent. I knew we would live in it. Then we were told someone else got it. I still knew we would live in it. Something happened that caused the renter to back out — and we moved into that house!

With that same kind of knowing, I know God exists. I know He rewards those who seek Him. I know He will keep His promises. And I know I will one day see Jesus face to face. This is not mere hope but an absolute certainty.

Thank You Jesus for this wonderous gift of faith. Help me to walk in it — today and every day!