Like so many other character strengths, faith takes time to develop in a person. This fact is often overlooked by many earnest, well-meaning Bible students who want to exemplify the level of trust that our Biblical ancestors demonstrated in days gone by. Yet, read their stories closely and you will see that all of them had to be brought along by God from an initial level of faith, to the great “heroes” that we read about today. Abraham lied about Sarah twice to protect his own life, Jacob sought to manipulate his way into better situations, and Gideon asked for three different miraculous signs before he would be convinced that God would deliver Israel through his hands.
This maturation process from incomplete to complete faith requires the connection of some very key internal elements for each of us. For instance, a person may know, intellectually, what God has called them to do, and yet emotionally their heart cannot let go and love Him enough to give over control. Conversely, a person may have all the emotion in the world for God, but have no real substantial knowledge about His will and expectations. Still, for others there might be knowledge and some emotion for God, but a lack of demonstrative action or drive to do anything for Him.
Consider these necessary parts of complete, trusting faith – knowledge, emotion, action, and desire. Do they sound familiar? “The most important [commandment] is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:28).
Quoting from Deuteronomy 6, Jesus makes it clear to us that all God has ever wanted from us is faith! Complete trust in Him as the Creator, sustainer, and provider of all things we need. Complete trust that will cause us to let go of worry, care, and self-sufficiency, to obey, whatever He commands us, with unflinching conviction. Such faith takes time to develop, for sure. Thankfully, we serve a patient God who can see deep in our hearts and work with our imperfections. Who is willing to help our unbelief, whatever the cause may be, so that we can build up our trust and obedience in the One who is worthy of our service and love.
Cory Waddell