In this series, we are studying the lives of those who God considers heroes of faith. They are people we can be inspired by and learn to emulate. God did amazing things through them even though they were imperfect people, just like us. The Bible is full of stories of God doing amazing, impossible and miraculous things.
Read Hebrews 11.1–3, 6, 11.
Sarah witnessed God do something incredibly impossible. She was far beyond childbearing age, but God miraculously caused her to bear a son. How can we see God do those kinds of things in our lives? Let’s look at what it means to develop and live with faith that believes God for the impossible.
Read Romans 1.16–17.
Faith makes a way in the unseen spiritual realm for God’s power and promises to become a reality in the seen, natural realm. Believing God for the impossible begins with simply trusting that God can and will do what He said He would do. This kind of faith is based on knowing God’s promises and trusting His track record of faithfulness. It’s based on a relationship with Him! It is important that we get to know God for who He really is by studying His word, not by following tradition, the opinion of others or even our own past experience. He has revealed His true nature in His word.
Question: Where does your picture of God come from? Has it changed since you were younger? How does the depiction of God’s character in the Bible compare to other popular or traditional concepts of God?
Read Genesis 15.3–5.
This is only one of the many times in which God gave Abraham (and Sarah) the promise of descendants. Sarah knew the promise, she had heard it many times. She also knew God’s trustworthy record. Hebrews 11 says that Sarah “considered Him faithful who had made the promise.” Abraham and Sarah had already experienced God’s faithful guidance, provision, and protection in their lives. Our faith also needs to stand on both trusting God’s promises and remembering His past faithfulness.
Question: How have you seen God’s faithfulness in the past? What promises are you trusting Him for today?
We have a role when it comes to seeing God do the impossible. Our role is to believe!
How can we develop faith to believe God for the impossible?
1. Define it.
We have to know what we believe. Faith gives substance to what we can’t see yet.
“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.]” (Hebrews 11.1 Amplified Version)
2. Pursue it.
We have to take an active part in going after faith and receiving what we’re learning as true for us (Romans 10.17). In Mark 6, when Jesus preached in His hometown, the people took offense at him and wouldn’t believe. Their lack of faith prevented Him from doing miracles there (Mark 6.1–6). Our lack of belief could be keeping us from seeing miracles as well.
3. Feed it.
Just as our bodies need regular nourishment to thrive, so does our faith. We can fill up on God’s word by reading it, listening to it, meditating on it and praying it.
4. Follow it.
If we’re going to see the impossible, we have to allow faith to lead us. Even when we can’t see what the outcome will be. “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5.7). (See also Galatians 2.20.)
5. Release it.
Faith isn’t meant to be a secret that we take to our grave. We’re supposed to share it and live it out. Our faith is released by what we say and what we do. James 1.22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” We are called to be doers of the word.
Question: As you look at this list, in which areas have you seen recent growth in your life? In which areas would you like to grow more? What are some practical steps you could take this week to develop your faith?
How can we exercise faith that trusts God for the impossible?
1. Trust and act according to God’s Word, even when it doesn’t make sense.
If we have to intellectually understand everything about God and His miracles before having faith, we won’t see many miracles in our lives. He doesn’t want our understanding and reasoning, He wants our faith and obedience. We limit God when we make Him fit what our minds can comprehend.
Read Isaiah 55.9.
Faith is not blind in the sense that it is ignorant or uninformed, instead, it is simply the ability to trust that God is so much bigger and capable of so much more than we can conceive. Faith is choosing to trust and being ok with finding out the details later.
2. Trust even when the answer is delayed.
Read Romans 4.18–21.
Abraham and Sarah waited a long time to see the fulfillment of God’s promise. Even with the birth of Isaac they only saw the very beginning of that fulfillment. Yet the Bible says they were strengthened in their faith and gave glory to God even in the midst of the waiting. They clung to what they knew of His character and His faithfulness, and believed He would fulfill His promise at the right time.
3. Trust that God is doing something in us in the process.
Read 1 Peter 1.6–7.
When we are in the middle of a delayed answer to our prayer, we should ask what else God is trying to teach us. Something is happening even when we don’t see anything. These times of waiting have great potential to grow our faith.
Question: What promise are you waiting for God to fulfill? What could God be teaching you in this time of waiting? Ask God to reveal to you His good purpose in this season of waiting.
4. Believe that the impossible is possible.
Read Mark 10.27 and 11.22–24.
Miracles wouldn’t be miracles if they were possible from a natural perspective. Our God is so powerful and trustworthy that we should not be surprised that great things happen. It should be more surprising when they don’t! Our miracle-making God is still in business. All things are possible with Him!
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