Faith Requires Expectancy

Shared by Jamie Sovern on FB

Hebrews 11:1-3 
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Expectancy - www.Dictionary.com =
1. the quality or state of expecting; expectation;  anticipatory belief or desire. 2. the state of being expected. 3. an object of expectation;  something expected.

The word we translate faith comes from the Greek word pistis.  It means a moral conviction of truth;an assurance, a belief, faith, and fidelity. 

In recent days an atheist and a humanist have visited an article I wrote.  They were bloggers looking for a story and an argument and I got a lesson in the condition of modern day journalistic ethics (or not).  That's beside the point.  The attitude expressed, at least by the atheist was that he would not believe unless he saw proof.   But faith works just the other way. 

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Jesus said in John 11:40 "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 

Expect and See
To see the miraculous power of God manifested you have to believe to see.   You have to have faith, confidence in God's truthfulness, an expectancy (expect and see). 

How can you build up your faith?  First, recognize that faith works by love (Galatians 5:6) and God is love (1 John 4:8).  You want to build up your faith?  Get to know Him.  Spend time with Him by talking and listening to Him (prayer).  Learn about Him and His thoughts by reading what He thinks in your bible.  Finally, pray in the spirit (Jude 20). 

As you get to know His love, His truth, His faithfulness, your confidence in His fidelity will grow and then you can "expect and see" the word of God work in your life.