How Faith Works #4 – Certain
For trapeze artists a special relationship exists between the flyer and the catcher. The flyer is the one who lets go, and the catcher is the one who catches.
As the flyer swings high above the crowd on the trapeze, the moment comes when the flyer must let go. The flyer arcs out into the air. Their job is to remain as still as possible and wait for the strong hands of the catcher to pluck them from the air.
One trapeze artist said firmly, “The flyer must never try to catch the catcher.” Otherwise, they could both fall. The catcher will catch the flyer, but the flyer must wait in absolute trust.
Faith works like that. We step out in faith – or take a leap of faith – being certain that God will come through. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith is being certain what God has promised, he will fulfill. These things will actually take place.
Faith rests upon what God has promised as a fact. It acts upon it as true. It upholds it even when everything else seems contradictory.
Regarding the promised son, for many long years fatherless Abraham “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.” Moreover, he was “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21).
Finally, Isaac was born to the promised father of many nations.
Remember as a child how you felt when your birthday was approaching – excited, expectant, and maybe a little anxious not knowing all the plans being made or what you would receive.
Your birthday finally came: A family celebration. Some special treats. A certain gift you longed for would soon be yours. And some things would be a surprise.
Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith. Faith is the conviction based on your past experience with God that he will come through as he has before. And during your faith adventure, God will also bring new and fresh surprises.
Whatever happens, you are assured God will come through.
God makes a promise: Faith believes it. Hope anticipates it. Patience awaits it. Your faith is certain.
~ Pastor Dave
