Read
Hebrews 11:1 to know how God describe what faith is:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen."
Let's read about a man named Jim and his amazing faith. . .
Jim believed God could do anything. One day that faith was put to the test. Heavy rain made a curtain of water as it fell from the sides of the shack where Jim and some of the other people who worked in the fields lived. They were called migrant workers. He had found the place a month ago, just before the rainy season started.
"See how God provides when you ask?" Jim asked his friends. "I needed a dry place to live, and He showed me this place to live right near the fields."
"You're crazy, Jim," they laughed. "God had nothing to do with it. You looked long and hard for this place. It's your lookin' that got you here, not God."
Jim smiled. Whenever he mentioned God to them, their answer was always the same, "You're crazy Jim," especially a man named Frank. But Jim wasn't crazy. He had seen God work over and over again. If only his friends could see God the way he did.
Frank shouted, "Look at your shoes, Jim!" Jim looked down at his tattered tennis shoes. The holes in the bottom of his shoes were like windows revealing the soaked socks inside. "You need new shoes. Your feet will begin to rot if you don't have good shoes to keep out the rain. You say that God is faithful to provide what you need. Well, if God provides a new pair of shoes for you, then I will listen to what you say about Him."
"I haven't asked Him for new shoes yet, but I will tonight!" Jim said enthusiastically. "God promises in the Bible that 'if we ask anything according to His purpose He will do it," Jim told him. "I will ask, and if it is what is best for me, and for you, He will do it."
Later that night, Jim talked with God about the shoes. "I can't imagine how You're going to do it, Lord, but I know You will provide in the best way possible."
The next night, Jim and Frank were walking across an abandoned parking lot when Jim tripped over a small box. Frank picked it up, "What's this?" he asked as he lifted the lid. A beautiful new pair of tennis shoes were nestled inside. "What size are you Jim?"
"Ten and a half, double wide."
They looked at the size on the box. "Ten and a half, double wide," whispered Frank in awe. Jim smiled and pulled the shoes from the box. A pair of new socks fell out as well.
"God also promises in the Bible that He will give us 'exceedingly, abundantly beyond what we can imagine." Jim laughed. "I didn't even think to ask for socks!"
When Frank and Jim walked into the camp, everyone stopped and stared at the bright new shoes on Jim's feet. "Everyone gather 'round," Frank announced, "Jim has something to tell us about God." He didn't have to ask twice. Everyone was anxious to hear about Jim's God.
Let's talk about Jim's faith.
- What did Jim have confidence in? (God.)
- How did Jim show his confidence to his friends? (By not getting upset with they call him crazy, and letting God use Him to reach His friends with the Gospel.)
- Jim believed God would be faithful to provide even when his friends called him crazy. What other ways did Jim show his faith in God? (He prayed in confidence that God would answer perfectly.)
- When Jim prayed for the shoes, what was he absolutely confident of? (God would provide if it is what's best for him and for the men.)
Refer back to Hebrews 11:1. Faith means believing or trusting someone or something even though we can't see it.
In what ways are you showing God you have faith in Him?
WHY DOES THIS MATTER:
Because God is faithful, I can have faith in Him!
TAKING ACTION:
What is God teaching you about His faithfulness?
How are you showing God you have faith in Him?
Have you made any changes because of God's faithfulness to you?
God provided a place to keep Jim dry and new shoes for Jim's feet. God promises to provide what we need. Thank God for providing what you need. Be specific!
