See through the eyes of faith!

Believing is Seeing

Tracie Miles

"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'." John 20:29 (NIV)

Devotion:

Notice how I titled today's devotion "Believing is Seeing," and not the other way around?

If you think about it, we believe without seeing every day. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true. Even though we may see the broadcast, we did not actually witness the events. We listen to the gossip of others and believe their words to be fact.

However, when it comes to believing that God is God, and that the Bible is holy and true, many people struggle.

Why is it that we have a much harder time believing in a sovereign God, than we do a story on the news or from a friend? Why is it difficult for some to comprehend and believe that God created the universe, is in control of everything, and ordains life?

DOUBT.

Doubt is an incredibly powerful weapon that the devil uses to attack the minds of those whose faith is weakened due to struggles in life, feeling distanced from God, or who have never truly known the Savior.

Doubt occurs when we begin to think we have to see God to believe in Him, and when our faith is dependent on what our eyes can see.

But faith is not something we can see. There is no visual evidence. The official definition of faith is a "firm belief in something of which there is no proof."

Faith requires that we believe, despite not having any visual evidence.

If seeing were believing, then faith would be irrelevant and unnecessary. Jesus would forever be trying to convince us that He is the Holy One through signs, wonders and miracles. Our faith would always be teetering on the edge, and likely decline as soon as we felt the need to see just one more example of proof of His existence, His sovereignty, or His power. If we could see Him, we would probably never truly believe in Him.

Faith only comes by hearing God's Word, and believing it - no matter what - without a shadow of a doubt - without needing constant visual proof.

The cold hard fact is that we live in a world that thrives on proof. As a result, Christians will face pressure to doubt that God is real and alive. We will face opportunities to turn away from God and believe in other religions, which may seem trendier, more appealing or visually legitimate. We will face ridicule for believing in the unseen.

But that is where true faith comes in. Faith that is not swayed by new ideas, impressive people, or eloquent preaching. Faith that will not die because something easier comes along. Faith that is based on the belief that He was, is and will be the Savior of the world. Faith that can withstand the pressure of difficulties in life.

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV).

We can't see God, but we can see His activity in our lives...if we believe.

We can't see God, but we can see His power working within us...if we believe.

If you ask me, we see what we want to see. We choose to believe...and then, we see.

If you have felt lured to doubt God's presence, power, and omnipotence as a result of listening to false teachings, being persuaded by others, or dealing with doubts that have been planted in your mind by those who don't believe because they cannot see, pray for God to remove those doubts today.

If you have been doubting God's existence because you cannot see His activity in your life, pray for Him to open your eyes to see His divine intervention. Pray for Him to saturate your life so powerfully that you cannot doubt that He is at work. Pray for Him to make His presence known to you.

If your heart desires to believe, your eyes will see the truth. Your faith will result in vision.

Dear Lord, impart in me an unshakable faith. Forgive me for any doubts. I love You and believe in Your sovereignty, forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild

My First Story of Jesus by Tim Dowley

Visit Tracies' blog

Application Steps:

Pray this verse and ask for God's power to transform your life:.

Romans 8:6 "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." (NLT)

Look up Romans 8:6 in other translations.

Reflections:

Are there any doubts in my heart today?

Power Verses:

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)

© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Hope

Holding Onto Our Hope

1 Samuel 1:1-18

Hannah's situation looked hopeless. She was heartbroken because "the Lord had closed her womb." This alone was a source of great disgrace for a Hebrew woman. But Hannah suffered even more because of the deliberate provocation by her husband's other wife, who was blessed with children.

Holding onto hope can be difficult when circumstances are miserable and show no signs of improving. For believers, this can be even more discouraging, because they know that God could fulfill their hopes and remedy the situation, but He hasn't.

Hannah was a woman of great faith, even in the midst of her disappointment and pain. Year after year she kept going to Shiloh to worship the Lord. Perseverance is a quality that the Father highly values in His people. Endurance in trials leads to godly character and hope that does not disappoint (Rom. 5:3-5).

Great pain often drives us to the Lord. Hannah had faithfully worshiped God with all of Israel, but this time she went by herself to the tabernacle and prayed to the only One who could help her. Weeping bitterly, she poured out her soul before the Lord and offered Him a sacrifice of the very thing she valued most--a child: she laid her hope at His feet and promised that if He fulfilled her desire, she would give Him her son.

That which we strive to hold can be kept only by surrendering it to God. This biblical principle applies to our hopes as well as to our very life (Luke 9:24). Learn from Hannah's example of faith, and pour out your heart to God. Lay your hopes before Him--the only One who can fulfill your desires or change them to match His will.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.