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  FAITH IS TRUSTING THE WORD OF GOD
  by William MacDonald
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Summary: Faith is implicit trust in the Word of God, confidence in His
trustworthiness, and the conviction that His promises will come to pass.

Topics: "Faith", "Trust in God's Promises"
Scripture References: Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 John 5:10

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DESCRIPTION
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William MacDonald emphasizes that faith is an implicit trust in the Word
of God, rooted in the conviction that God's promises are true and will
come to pass. He clarifies that faith is not a blind leap but is based
on the sure evidence found in God's revelations. MacDonald argues that
true faith transcends mere belief and enters the realm of the
impossible, asserting that believing God is the most rational choice one
can make. He acknowledges the challenges of faith, including trials and
waiting for God's promises, but insists that these difficulties
strengthen faith. Ultimately, he concludes that without faith, it is
impossible to please God, as disbelief equates to calling Him a liar.

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CONTENT
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Â"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen.Â" (Heb. 11:1)

Faith is implicit trust in the Word of God. It is confidence in the
trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true
and that what He promises will come to pass. It deals primarily in the
realm of the future (Â"things hoped forÂ") and the realm of the
invisible (Â"things not seenÂ").

Whittier said that Â"the steps of faith fall on the seeming void, and
find the rock beneath.Â" But not so! Faith is no leap in the dark. It
demands the surest evidence, and finds that evidence in the Word of God.

Some people have the misconception that if you just believe a thing
strongly enough it will come to pass. But that is credulity, not faith.
Faith must have some revelation of God to lean on, some promise of God
to cling to. If God promises something, then it is as sure as if it had
already happened. If He foretells the future, then it is certain to be
fulfilled. In other words, faith brings the future within the present
and makes the invisible seen.

There is no risk in believing God. God cannot lie, He would not deceive,
and He cannot be deceived. To believe God is the most rational, sane,
logical thing a person can do. What is more reasonable than that the
creature should believe the Creator?

Faith is not limited to possibilities but invades the realm of the
impossible. Someone has said, Â"Faith begins where possibilities end. If
itÂ's possible then thereÂ's no glory for God in it. If itÂ's
impossible, it can be done.Â"

Faith, mighty faith the promise sees

And looks to God alone;

Laughs at impossibilities

And cries, Â"It shall be done.Â"

Admittedly there are difficulties and problems in the life of faith. God
tests our faith in the crucible of trial and affliction to see if it is
genuine (1 Pet. 1:7). We often have to wait long years to see the
fulfilment of His promises, and sometimes we have to wait till we reach
the other side. But Â"difficulties are food for faith to feed onÂ"
(George Muller).

Â"Without faith it is impossible to please himÂ" (Heb. 11:6). When we
refuse to believe Him, we are saying that He is a liar (1 John 5:10),
and how can God be pleased by people who call Him a liar?

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/william-macdonald/faith-is-trusting-the-word-of-god/
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