We talk so much about faith. But do we even really understand what faith is. And more importantly, why does faith matter so much to God? 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. .3 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. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11 (NKJV). But why does faith matter so much to God?
Everything from creation through revelation depends on these two premises of faith. God IS. The Great I am, creator of heaven and earth, the very substance by which everything exists is Sovereign overall. The Beginning and the END, the author, and the finisher of all things reigns supreme in perfect righteousness, perfect love, and perfect glory. That is premise 1. But for faith to exist, one must also believe that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Everything concerning faith hinges on these two premises.
Even if I believe that God IS, and do not believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, then faith fails me. I must truly believe that He is doing all things for my good, or I will falter in my faith. That is when I try to do faith my way, not His. If I believe both premises, then I know whatever comes, He has a perfect plan that is Good, loving and that will bring me ever closer to Him. It is that lack of true faith that led the Israelites always farther away from God and into their own destruction.
A Failure of Faith
“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.
2 As they called them,
So they went from them;
They sacrificed to the Baals,
And burned incense to carved images.
3 “I taught Ephraim to walk,
Taking them by their arms;
But they did not know that I healed them.
4 I drew them with [e]gentle cords,
With bands of love,
And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their [f]neck.
I stooped and fed them. Hosea 11
The story repeats itself from the beginning of time throughout the ages. God urges the people to remember Him and all of His goodness toward them. He not only points back in time to His rescuing the people from Egypt. ,But He also points forward in time to when the Messiah would come. So, often this is the case with scripture. He foretells the future both near and far while recalling the past. God does this so that we might know He IS Omnipotent (all knowing) and Sovereign. Just as He fulfills every promise He has spoken in the past, He will faithfully fulfill every promise in the future. Every promise is yes and amen in Him.
9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’ Isaiah 46:
A Slipping from Faith
The Nation of Israel, despite all God’s blessing failed in their faith. They failed to believe that His Prohibitions were for their good. Some remembered all He did, but felt that He would do it regardless of their own disobedience. Just like Cain, they wanted to practice religion their own way–not as Thus Saith The Lord.
5 “He shall not return to the land of Egypt;
But the Assyrian shall be his king,
Because they refused to repent.
6 And the sword shall slash in his cities,
Devour his districts,
And consume them,
Because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High,
None at all exalt Him. Hosea 11
God has always been very clear in His message. Trust me and know that I am Good, if not you will destroy your own happiness. God speaks with commands and sometimes prohibitions, not to “destroy our joy”; but to give us true joy. From the days of Adam and Eve, God gave them the choice to trust Him by faith when He said you do not want to eat from that tree—it will bring death and destruction. He had said the same to the children of Israel, do not chase after idols—they will be your death and destruction. But all too often, even we are guilty of wanting to worship God our way. We do not demonstrate the faith of believing He really does know best and wants our best.
They Failed to Believe
When Ephraim spoke, trembling,
He exalted himself in Israel;
But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.
2 Now they sin more and more,
And have made for themselves molded images,
Idols of their silver, according to their skill;
All of it is the work of craftsmen.
They say of them,
“Let [a]the men who sacrifice [b]kiss the calves!”
3 Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud
And like the early dew that passes away,
Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor
And like smoke from a chimney.
4 “Yet I am the Lord your God
Ever since the land of Egypt,
And you shall know no God but Me;
For there is no savior besides Me. Hosea 13
God reminds them that He did not forsake them, they forsook Him. Yet, His promises will not fail. Perhaps for that generation it was too late, but He IS the Lord and one day He would bring His son to die on the cross for them. Though only a remnant would survive, He would be faithful. That has been true throughout all of history. After all His story is that. He IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Not that always gets it right, but that diligently seek Him, trusting Him regardless of what their sight might say. This is a matter of the heart.
Yet, one day by faith.
O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
“Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices[a] of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
For in You the fatherless finds mercy.” Hosea 14
There is nothing that my hands can do to save me. The works of my hands are not my god and cannot save me. Only He can as He promised through humbly, repentent faith in His Son for my salvation and to be my Lord of all.
4 “I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall [b]grow like the lily,
And [c]lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches shall [d]spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And [e]grow like a vine.
Their [f]scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Hosea 14
Then by faith they will trust Him and cast aside all idols One day
8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
Your fruit is found in Me.”
9 Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them. Hosea 14
Therefore, What is Faith and Why Does Faith Matter to God?
When ever we do not believe that God IS and that He Is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, then we wander so far from Him. He knows that it is not a world view that can satisfy the desires of our heart. Only an intimate close relationship with our creator can satisfy the thirst within us. Only He can give us joy, hope and future overflowing. All else brings us depression, sorrow, anxiety, and fear. Humanity constantly searches for ways to reach eutopia without God. But unfortunately, without God our hearts become egocentric—leading to isolation, pain, selfishness, depression and evil invades. The most altruistic humanist at best finds themself lost in a sea of nothingness as noted in “Being and Nothingness” by Jean Paul-Sartre. So, why does faith matter to God? Because He loves us too much to not try to save us from our own destruction. Still, He allows you and I the freedom to choose—an eternity with out Him or an eternity in Glory with Him.
Without the freedom to choose, there is no love, faith, or committment. God in His Sovereignty and Wisdom knows this. Yet, I could not have come to Him without His callings. His Sovereignty reigns supreme, even if I do not fully comprehend how both are true. They are. So, what am I to do? Love Him with every ounce of my being, seeing Him as my greatest treasure. And to then knowing this tell everyone I know of His Magnificent Glorious Grace.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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