Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” John 5:17 NLT
Hebrews 11:1 is a powerful verse, but it can seem to be an almost impossible perspective to live by. How in the world do we have the confidence that the desires of our heart will be fulfilled, even when there seems to be no evidence of hope or possibility?
The only way to have that kind of faith is to decide to believe that what Jesus said is true. God the Father is always working, and Jesus is too. Jesus states with authority that He is the Son of God. They are both infinitely wise and powerful and completely in agreement with each other. Jesus is much better equipped to solve life’s problems than I am. His eternal perspective is unfailingly greater than anything I can even imagine. He sees the past, the present, and the future and everything that has happened or will happen. It is His infinite wisdom I must depend on, not my own. Through Jesus, I am God’s child too, and they are working on my situation with all the power and resources that are theirs. When I pray in faith, I am believing that God Himself is invested in my needs and desires and is already working on my behalf.
Isn’t that strengthening and comforting? God’s working does not depend on whether or not I have already prayed and asked Him. It doesn’t depend on how skilled I am at asking. It doesn’t depend on how many other people have greater needs than mine. It doesn’t depend on whether or not He is busy or preoccupied with international affairs. God is not working part time, getting to it when He can. He never goes on vacation, never takes a day off. As Psalm 121:4 tells us, God doesn’t “sleep or slumber.” He is always working on our behalf. He never does anything halfway. He is constantly giving us His absolute best in every detail, always working for our good.
That is the foundation of faith that enables us to be confident about the things we can’t yet see. We believe that God is already and always working for us. At some point, your faith will be greatly tested. Perhaps it already has been or maybe you are in the middle of testing right now. Maybe your health is compromised. Perhaps someone dear to you died despite your prayers. Maybe you have a prodigal, wandering child. Your finances may seem beyond repair. Maybe you struggle to conceive a child. Perhaps relational struggles and work stress are staring you down. Whatever the circumstances, look forward to what you can’t see yet. You don’t know the outcome, but you know your good, good Father is already working. Jesus will never leave or forsake you, and you can trust the future will be good.
- God, You are working for my good in ways I cannot see. I will trust You.