Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)
A busy fall meant far less golf for me than I’d normally like to play during this mild season here in Central California (hint from a local: if you want to make that dream trip to the Monterey Peninsula, October and early November are normally spectacular). When I finally pulled out my clubs after a month away, I was counting on my swing being there for me. It was an act of faith, for sure: being assured of things unseen. Except I wasn’t sure. We all know there’s no such thing in golf, even if we pured it only yesterday. But every good player also knows that when it comes to golf if you have no faith, you haven’t got a prayer.
But what about in our walk with Jesus? How central is faith to that relationship?
Some of what I’ve seen pass for faith is bluster—the proud words of proud men. Meanwhile, I have seen the humble prayers of weakened saints bring wonderful answers.In 2 Peter 1, the apostle wrote to those who had received a precious faith “through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Then, in verse 5, he began a progression through a list of traits that he said should be added to this faith. It is this list of eight great traits upon which we will set our course in the coming weeks of Friday devotions and studies.
So we begin with faith. Most of us are familiar with the idea that faith does not have to be big to accomplish great things. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
That’s all? Only a tiny seed? It is true that the picture reveals a bit of matter not much bigger than the period at the end of this sentence. But the context of Jesus’ statement is telling. His disciples were asking him why they had not been able to cast the demon from a possessed boy. Jesus told them it was because they had so little faith. Little, as in smaller than a mustard seed.
I do not know how to measure faith. Some of what I’ve seen pass for faith is bluster—the proud words of proud men. Meanwhile, I have seen the humble prayers of weakened saints bring wonderful answers.
Here’s all I know: Get faith. As much of it as you can. And be sure the faith you have is based on the righteousness of the one who has saved you. Around Jesus, your faith is sure to grow.
—
Jeff Hopper
January 19, 2018
Copyright 2018 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
MORE DEVOTIONS IN THIS SERIES
Eight Great Traits 2: Goodness
Eight Great Traits 3: Knowledge
Eight Great Traits 4: Self-control
Eight Great Traits 5: Perseverance
Eight Great Traits 6: Godliness
Eight Great Traits 7: Kindness
Eight Great Traits 8: Love