We often think of faith as a set of beliefs. Many systems of theology are framed in such a way. Through Abraham, the man often called the father of faith, we don’t see a faith system, so to say. He simply heard God and obeyed His voice. Through the process of cultivating a relationship with God, he experienced God’s faithfulness. That’s what God purposes to teach us all. He is sovereign, faithful and worthy of our trust.
RELEVANCE
Moses, the man noted in the Bible for seeing God face-to-face, also had a unique experience with God that led him to call God, El Emunah: God of Faithfulness. The Hebrew words used in Deuteronomy 32:3-4 reveal what Moses learned of God’s nature.
“For I proclaim the name of the LORD: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock (El Emunah), His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).
Man may try to rationalize about God and create religious forms, but God purposes to establish relationships with His children; relationships based on trusting faith. This was the very point the prophet, Habakkuk, made in revealing, “the just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.” (Habakkuk 2:4 AMPLIFIED) Note, he used the same word Moses used for faith—emunah—actually meaning, faithfulness. He understood the person of faith lives trusting in God’s faithfulness.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Meditate on the difference between focusing on your faith vs. God’s faithfulness. Gaining the right perspective is a matter of focus: self vs. God. It’s really not our faith that’s the issue; it’s trusting in God’s faithfulness. Our faith will fail; God won’t! You can put your trust in God.
REFERENCES
Psalm 18:1-50; 20:1-9; Mark 11:22-24; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11