Faith's Will!

A man brought his son to the disciples to be healed of an unclean spirit, but they were unable to do so. ( Mark 9:18) Being brought to Jesus, He asked the man how long his son had been this way and the father stated, "From childhood." ( Mark 9:21)

Reading further the words of this father and Jesus' response. . .
"(22) "And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But IF YOU CAN do anything, have compassion on us and HELP US." (23) And Jesus said to him, " 'IF YOU CAN'! All things are possible for one who believes." (24) Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!" " ( Mark 9:22-24 ESV)

Have we not found ourselves there in the struggle of growing in faith? Someone has said, "Faith is not believing that God can; it is knowing that He will." How often have we struggled with the head knowledge of believing what God "can" do, but failed in living in the ASSURANCE OF BELIEVING He "will" do? We do believe, but WE NEED HELP where we struggle IN MAINTAINING COMPLETE FAITH to believe "all things are possible with God." ( Mark 10:27 ESV)

Remember how the Hebrew writer described FAITH where he wrote. . .
"Now faith is THE ASSURANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, the conviction of things not seen." ( Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

The Greek word translated here as "ASSURANCE" is "hupostasis" ("hupo", under, and "histemi", to stand) and literally means "a standing under" or "support". [source: W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words] This word has been translated "substance" (KJV, NKJV), but with it representing the support under which something can stand we can see how it rightfully refers to "assurance". W. E. Vine's dictionary goes on to state the word used here in Hebrews 11:1 may "signify a title-deed, as giving a guarantee, or reality."

We may not always know the how and the when, but let us always trust that the Lord WILL HELP US. May we be encouraged by all God's power was revealed in its ability to do throughout the Scriptures as we live trusting that HE WILL work all things for our good ( Romans 8:28) as we strive to live in accordance with His purposes.

Have a great day WILLING TO LIVE FOR THE ONE WHOSE WILL IS FOR US!
Carl

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