80. Faith: The substance to create with.

"Everything is possible for him who believes."(Mark 9:23) Faith is the substance God began with, while creating the universe and it the substance we begin with, to give form to our vision. Though faith is abstract (existing in thought and not having a physical existence), in union with grace, begins to give a physical form to our vision. 'By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so what is seen was not formed out of what was visible.'(Hebrews 11:3) It was with certainty and surety that God spoke the words: "Let there be.." and it was so! Before we speak words of faith with certainity, there has to be the substance or surety of things we hope for in our hearts. Only then can we rest assured that the 'word spoken will not return empty but will accomplish what we desire and achieve the purpose for which we sent it.' (Isaiah 55:11) Abram's faith was far from complete because he had the certainty of God's ability but lacked the surety of his will: "O Soveign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" (Genesis 15:8) Therefore, God made a covenant with him to assure him of His promise. 'Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.' (Hebrews 6:17) If we lack the surety of God's promise, then we need to ask God as Abraham did instead of struggling to make ourselves believe. We have no doubts about God's ability but often we doubt his willingness. A man with leprosy came to Jesus and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said . "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.( Mark 1:40-42) Let's come to Jesus with whatever faith we have and he will fix it . Amen