Like a puzzle, faith builds, one piece at a time.
In the construction of our faith, we don’t always get to instantly see the complete picture; instead, our faith is built one piece at a time. Piece by piece, as we place our confidence in the Lord, the mystery of God’s plan and will for our life steadily merges. As we trust His lead, a piece of His plan is purposed in to place. The building of our faith takes work. Determination. Patience. Focus. A stick with it mentality is necessary to endure the expectancy of faith.
Weary, many walk away never seeing the end result. Others grow bored with the consuming task. Discouragement can frustrate the building of the unseen plan. Distractions come. Disillusionment says, “Stop!” Even the temptation of today’s technology has drawn many away from being still, causing a loss of focus on the Master’s puzzle.
However, those that persevere through the unknown of faith, trust that God will prove faithful to complete the picture. As we partner with God, faith builds. Through perseverance, His image is revealed. Hope rises. The evidence of the promises of God begin to take shape in the building of our faith. Our moments with God connect, allowing the masterpiece of the Father to take form in our life - one piece at a time.
Piece by piece, we need to remember that His image is taking form.
A Puzzle
Like a puzzle, let’s see how [Hebrews 11:1] fits together using the definition of each word from the Greek section within the Strong’s Concordance.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Faith : Reference Number 4102 - belief, trust, confidence, fidelity
Faith: Believe, trust, confidence, fidelity.
Is : Reference Number 1510 - I am, I exist
Is: I Am. I exist.
Faith is:
Believe, I Am.
Trust, I exist.
Have confidence. I Am. I exist.
Express fidelity to I Am.
Substance : Reference Number 5287 - a setting under, I.e. concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance
Faith is the substance:
To believe I Am exists is the assurance of the matter.
Of what [we] hope for : Reference Number 1679 - hope, expect, trust
Faith is the substance of what we hope for:
To believe I Am exists is the assurance of the matter of our expectations.
Evidence : Reference Number 1650 - a proof, possibly: a persuasion, conviction
Faith is the substance of what we hope for and the evidence:
To believe I Am exists is the assurance of the matter of our expectations and convictions.
Things : Reference Number 4229 - a thing done, a deed, action, matter, affair
Faith is the substance of what we hope for and the evidence of things:
To believe I Am exists is the assurance of the matter of our expectations and convictions of things done.
Seen : Reference Number 991 - look, see, perceive, discern
Faith is the substance of what we hope for and the evidence of things not seen:
To believe I Am exists is the assurance of the matter of our expectations and convictions of things done, but not yet perceived.
Like the piecing together of a puzzle, an interesting picture begins to develop within this verse. To begin, trust is foundational in the establishing of eternal expectation. Hope prevails, bringing substance to our faith, allowing confidence to form. As the puzzle of faith builds, one piece at a time, the substance of faith emerges, creating a coming together of God’s perfect design.
May we continue to build our faith, faith to faith, piece by piece, glory to glory, for without faith, it is impossible to please God. It an important piece of the puzzle.
Prayer
Father,
I must confess, at times, I find Your ways puzzling to my way of thinking, and
I admit there have been moments when I forced a piece of the puzzle to fit my circumstances and timing. Please forgive me, Lord.
Remove the scales from my eyes, that I may get a glimpse of Your grand design. My tunnel vision has kept me focused on just one piece of the puzzle, and not trusting in Your perfect, complete picture for my life.
Bless me, Father, with the patience to be still before You, as Your design unfolds.
Build my faith, as I partake in Your vision one piece at a time.
May You find pleasure in the expression of my faith.
I believe I Am exists. It is the assurance of the matter of my expectations and convictions of things done, things, not yet perceived.
I trust You, Lord, with the big picture.
It is when I trust You, Your timing, and most perfect plan, that I find I am no longer puzzled.
Such is the puzzle of faith!
Amen
Hebrews 11: 1-6 AMP
Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.
By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.
By faith [that pleased God] Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found because God had taken him; for even before he was taken [to heaven], he received the testimony [still on record] that he had walked with God and pleased Him.
But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.
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