40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
Indeed, believing is the grand key in beholding the glorious finger marks of God. Consider Abraham, the father of faith. Against all odds, Abraham believed God and God credited this belief to him as righteousness. Against all hope, Abraham believed and so became the father of many nations – just as was told him. Paul goes on to tell us in Romans:
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." Romans 4:19-22 (NIV)
Paul gives further insight in Galatians:
7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. Gal 3:7 (NIV)
Abraham’s faith in God’s ability to perform what He had promised was accepted by God as his righteousness. Note this faith was not in some random thought Abraham dreamed up or desired as an idol, rather it was in the firm, fixed and sealed promises of God. If God says it, we can take it to the bank. This brings up a wonderful point – are we familiar with His promises through His Word as they, like God, are never changing. God delights for His children to know His Word and to pray these promises back to Him. Like King David, a man after God’s own heart, who constantly believingly prayed and received.
1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah 5 For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Psalms 61:1-5 (NIV)
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalms 27:13-14 (NIV)
Throughout His ministry, Jesus constantly called for the duty of believing faith. We are not to fear yet believe. There is to be no want of confidence or uncertainty or distrust in God’s achieving power and the certainty of His promises. This is a lesson we can never know too well and one of which, like Martha, we are in often need of being reminded of. We are so wired to seeing before believing that at times believing faith may seem most foreign to us at best.
“The Christian who has ceased to say, ‘I must see, and then I will believe,’ and has learned to say, ‘I believe, and by and by I shall see,’ has reached a high degree in the School of Christ.” J. C. Ryle
A perfect example of believing faith fleshed out is found in the healing of the demon possessed boy. The boy’s father had taken his son to the disciples to be healed and they were not able to accomplish the task. Enter Jesus on the scene:
17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." 19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. 22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." 23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:17-24 (NIV)
Jesus’ response to the boy’s father, "'If you can'?", drips with sarcasm from our Lord’s lips. Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing. The Lord will always prove Himself faithful. The Lord cannot and will not fail His children – we have His Word.
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.” George Mueller