In our daily lives, the word “faith” is tossed around so much, it loses its value. Popular culture doesn’t assign it much importance, and many people don’t understand its significance. Faith is a practical expression of our belief in God and his word. The essence of faith is to act on what we believe, even when we don’t see tangible evidence before our eyes. This takes courage, and it’s exactly what pleases God.

In the Old Testament, Abraham obeyed God’s commandment to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 22:1-13), and Caleb was the only person to agree with God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to his people (Numbers 13:30). In the New Testament, Peter walked on water to get to Jesus (Matthew 14:24-29), and Paul saved everyone on board after a storm hit the ship on which he was sailing (Acts 27:1-44). Each of these people acted based on what they believed about God, and he honored their faith. Likewise, our faith produces powerful results.

It’s never easy walking this path. We’re often tempted to give up and go back to doing what everyone else is doing. But, if we stay the course and steadily move forward regardless of what others say, we will see things we never anticipated. “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35, 36, NIV). Perseverance is a trait God values highly, and it produces results in his kingdom.

God shows us which path to take, and he’ll be with us every step of the way. He’ll never leave us, even when we run into resistance from others who don’t hear his voice. “Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, AMPC). The world will try to beat down our acts of faith, which is why it’s so important to develop our confidence in God’s faithfulness to us.

We can develop this confidence by reading our Bible every day, meditating on what it says, speaking the word of God out loud, praying, and believing God loves us. Routinely doing this helps establish the word inside us. It will take root and give us courage and confidence we didn’t have before. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”  (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV).

Choosing to obey God’s directions is a sign of real wisdom, but our faith will definitely be tested when we do. We’ll need the patience to endure when things get tough. “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:3-6). What will your act of faith be?