Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? James 2:21-25

A common team building activity is the trust fall, where one person at a time is challenged to stand above the group on a table or other elevated surface and fall back into the group, trusting them to catch them. The activity often highlights the gap between stated trust and actual trust. Similarly, when we face perceived risks, we may have a hard time trusting God, let alone living in faith that He will come through. So often our focus is on our senses, scanning the situation to see if God will actually provide before we step out in faith. The problem is that it is not faith at all. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.”

A step of faith is more than just general belief in God; it is trust in Him, even when we don’t know how things will work out. This is what made Abraham’s faith so remarkable and evident. He trusted God even when it was costly and to make a way when there seemed to be none. Rahab also practiced this kind of faith, trusting God to provide for her and her family when it might cost her life. Our faith must amount to more than mere claims, but be evidenced in how we live, trusting God in every moment.

• When was the last time you displayed faith, trusting God even when you didn’t know how it would turn out in the end? What stops you from making that a regular practice?
• What are some ways God has provided in Scripture and in your life? How can you remind yourself of those times as you step out in faith?
• Pray and thank God for providing, even when we don’t see it. Ask Him to grow your faith every day.