When John Paton was translating the scriptures for a South Seas tribe, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey it. One day while he was struggling in his hut, a native came running into the study and dropped into a chair, exhausted. He said, “Feels so good to rest my whole weight in this chair. “Instantly John Paton knew he had his definition: Faith is resting your whole weight on God. Faith is trusting completely and unconditionally in God and His Word. True faith doesn’t need to ask any questions or seek any explanations, Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that Faith is the assurance that God’s promises have essence, and competent, and reality. Remember how in the book of Genesis, Joseph had the nation of Israel promise that when they returned to the promise land that they would carry his bones?!! Joseph understood That God would fulfill His promises to the nation of Israel and that He would return them to the land He had promised. Although the exodus didn’t take place for another 420 years, we read in the Word of God that as the nation leaves Egypt they take with them the bones of Joseph to be buried in the land of Abraham. Understand that in order to exercise faith in the Word of God you must first know that word. David said in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Do you know the Word of God, and does your life reflect the faith that you have that God will do what He promises?
