Belief is a truth held in the mind. Faith is a fire in the heart.”
Joseph Fort Newton
King Saul’s son Jonathan and his armor-bearer were up against impossible odds with the Philistines. But because Jonathan’s faith was grounded in God’s promise (I Samuel 9:16), he took a risk in I Samuel 14:6. “Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.'”
What great faith Jonathan had in God’s ability to save! And he mentored his impressionable young armor-bearer with his statement of faith. Faith is contagious and so is doubt and pessimism. Like attitude, faith is more often caught than taught. They believed God could, so they did. They put their feet where their mouths, minds, and hearts were.
Jonathan and his co-worker were willing to lay their lives on the line based on their hope that “perhaps” God would show up, to save and deliver them from their enemies. They were able to do this because their belief system knew God could. They were compelled to step out in faith, because they believed the truth that nothing could hinder God from rescuing His children. Their faith, based in the truth about who God is, what He’s like and is able to do, trumped their fear. It didn’t matter how many Philistines there were, as long as God was in the equation, they would win.
Likewise, it still is the same today; nothing or no one is an obstacle to the Lord. He is still able to save and do whatever He wants to do. Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”
When I know what’s true about God and believe it in my heart, my actions will line up with my faith, even though I may be fearful. Faith that rests in who God is, and not in what the situation looks like, is faith that will see there is nothing impossible for God.
“Faith tells us of things we have never seen, and cannot come to know by our natural senses.”
St. John of the Cross
Relevant Reflections:
What impossible or improbable situation are you facing today. Remind yourself that nothing is impossible for God.
In what way are you influencing others with your faith?