Psalm 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God.

The Psalmist makes this statement, but then he goes on in the rest of the Psalm to specify why this is true, listing thing after thing the Lord does. People speak of “blind faith,” but true faith is the opposite of blind, seeing clearly the One who is trusted. That’s what it’s talking about in Hebrews 11:1, where it says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” It is also referenced in Hebrews 2:8-9, talking about how we can have peace and hope even when the world around us is falling apart, because “We see Jesus.” The writer of Hebrews and his readers were past the time when Jesus was walking the earth, so their “seeing” was the same as ours: by faith. Faith does not depend on the senses, but it is very real indeed. Our physical bodies react to what we believe is true. Amazing things can be done with hypnosis, for example. That’s why it’s so important that we believe the truth, about God and about ourselves. Jesus stated that He Himself is the truth, (John 14:6) and He also characterized the devil as “the father of lies.” (John 8:44) We tend to act in line with what we really believe, whatever we say we believe. That’s why Jesus said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) God is amazingly gracious and kind, as the Psalmist says, but we will enjoy that fully only as we trust that it is true, and live accordingly.

This has been an issue in my own life and it is certainly an issue in my ministry. I have had to learn the very real difference between head knowledge and heart faith. Knowledge of God and the Bible is certainly not bad, but it must be appropriated and applied for it to be effective. It is when it works into our hearts that it really becomes faith. Too many times my life has been a demonstration of James 1:22, as I have deceived myself by stopping with head knowledge instead of living out what I “knew.” As a pastor I communicate information about God, but if I stop there I am ineffective. I need to train people in applying the truth I communicate, so that it may be worked into their hearts. It is of course the Holy Spirit who does the “heavy lifting” in that, but I am to provide opportunities and encouragement. I am to remind people of what a mighty God we serve, just as the chorus says, so that together we may walk by faith, and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Father, thank You for this reminder. You brought to mind the root Scripture for this morning’s message! I pray that this morning, and each time I speak, I may indeed communicate Your truth in Your words by the power of Your Spirit, so that my hearers may be lifted out of the traps of the liar and brought into the liberty of Your Spirit, (John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 3:17) for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!