Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
When planting a garden you can’t just put a seed in the ground and say “now grow” and viola, you have a plant. There is a bit more to it. The atmosphere has to be right for the seed to take root and grow. It needs fed. It will get nourishment from the sun, refreshed from water, and definitely needs fertilizer. And here’s a news flash – fertilizer stinks. And until then we expect to eventually see the evidence of the particular substance we hoped for.
Our scripture says faith is a substance. The ground work of a thing. In proof that faith is a seed. And just as with a natural seed, we can’t just tell our faith to grow and have an abundance of faith. The atmosphere has to be right as well. It needs some fertilizer. Now remember, fertilizer smells bad. Faith needs belief, trials, patience, time, struggles and hope. All of the things that cause us to be tested and uncomfortable. The things in life that we call stinky. But don’t forget the stuff faith also needs that doesn’t stink. Just like the natural seed needs nourishment from the sun, so does faith. But that nourishment is from the Word of God, who is also The Son of God.
Now, I don’t know about you but I appreciate the smell of fertilizer in the garden. It lets me know that I have given the seeds what they need. I don*t necessarily like the smell of the fertilizers of life that I need to grow my faith. But I am getting there. I just remind myself to read the bible, stay in The Word to fertilize my faith. The evidence of things not seen will manifest. And so will yours.
Father God. You said our seed of faith can move mountains. Help us to remember that we must put in the work to grow our faith. In doing so we exalt You before others and find favor in Your sight. Amen.