Faith: In What You Believe or What You See?

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Someone wrote me. I’m sure he thought he was hilarious when actually he was rude and profane. He asked me (and I am paraphrasing,) to have God remove the cat poo from his front yard and then told me to wake up and leave my fantasy world of God. He told me that science was his world.

Have you ever heard the old saying, Seeing is believing? There are many people who take that kind of stance when it comes to biblical spiritual things. I can’t see God, so why should I believe in Him? I believe in science and what I can see! People like this pride themselves in being smart—being intellectual. But the truth is, they struggle to be honest. I say that because much of what they believe to be true, can’t be seen. But they won’t believe that. They can’t admit that they believe in all sorts of things that can’t be seen.

Pride is a stronghold preventing many people from honesty when it comes to faith and spiritual things. Those who say they only believe what science proves true are kidding themselves. Scientists put great faith in their hypotheses working to prove them, hoping for them to be true. A portion of the scientific and medical community does ongoing work on hypotheses—on theories they believe to be true even though they are not yet scientifically proven. A hypothesis is a supposition or proposed explanation that is not yet scientific fact. Evolution itself is a hypothesis but not scientifically proven as true, yet many put faith in it as though it were. There are many unproven theories such as evolution that are treated as scientific fact. You can read about at Top 10 Most Famous Scientific Theories (That Turned out to be Wrong.) You’ll read about unproven theories taken as fact that people had put their faith in. Pride surfaces when those who like science and evidence won’t admit that new science consistently replaces old science—something they previously believed absolutely true, no longer being true. Those that say they won’t believe without seeing actually believe and put faith in things they cannot see every day. No one lives a life without faith. Some put their faith in God and others in the intelligence and works of man.

One of Jesus’ own disciples struggled with believing unless he could see. We read about him in John 20:24-31 NIV. “Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. They said, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” A week later His disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

Thomas learned that when it comes to the scriptures and Jesus, faith is greater than seeing to believe. He wasn’t the only one that chose for whatever reason, not to believe without seeing. Many of the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day actually saw the miracles that Jesus did, but still chose not to believe what they witnessed with their own eyes. For them, seeing was not believing. Hebrews 4:2 and the gospels reveal that many people saw Jesus heal others. Some believed but some did not. Hebrews 4:2 NLT says, “For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”

Today, know that there is great power in having childlike trust and faith in God. You may be getting weary over a situation that you’ve been praying about. I assure you that if you love the Lord, He is with you today, He cares about your situation, and He is responding and working through your prayers of faith.

This promise is for you! Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Let this promise and truth describe you! This and every promise of God is given to you through your faith in Jesus. Romans 1:17 tell us that “The just shall live by faith.” That’s you if you believe in Jesus and His Word.

You will see and encounter many things that will work to undermine and steal your peace every day. But seeing God’s promises through the eyes of faith and laying your cares at His feet as you trust Him in faith, will bring you His peace that surpasses what you see and and allows you to rest in Him! Have faith in God’s word and promises to you today!

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV) “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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