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What Does it Really Mean to “Have Faith”? Part Two

What Does it Really Mean to “Have Faith”? Part Two

Last updated on: February 4, 2025 at 11:05 am by Amy Blossom

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What Does it Really Mean to “Have Faith”? Part Two 2025-02-04T11:05:28-05:00 Amy Blossom

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What does having faith really mean? When we say someone “has faith” what are we referring to? “Having faith” could refer to many different things because it means different things to different people. The only definition of having faith that matters is the Biblical description. So, what does having faith really mean?

What does it really mean to have faith?

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This article is part two of a two-part series entitled “What Does Having Faith Really Mean?” In this series we are examining ten heroes of faith that are outlined in Hebrews chapter eleven. As you read the examples and takeaways, think about how you can use each example and apply it to your own life. In this article we will cover the last five of the list.

(To Read Part One of “What does having faith really mean?”, click here)

Heroes of Faith

The stories of these ten people are examples of what God says true faith looks like. Each of their stories are an example of faith that we can use to apply to our lives.

Isaac

In Hebrews 11:20 there is one sentence regarding the faith of Abraham’s son, Isaac: “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.” The full story is found in Genesis 27.

Jacob was the younger son of Isaac. Being the youngest, he was not supposed to receive the birthright blessing. However, Jacob stole Esau’s birthright by impersonating him to his almost blind father, Isaac. Jacob conned his father. He cheated to receive the blessing. What Jacob did was terrible.

However, Isaac allowed the blessing to stay with Jacob. He did not rescind it because even in an act of deception, Isaac saw God’s hand at work. It was by his faith that Isaac was able to stand by the blessing that Jacob stole from his brother.

Takeaway

Faith is able to see the providence of God even when injustices are present. Sometimes God allows certain things to happen that just seem wrong. But through faith we are able to understand that God is at work through it all.

JACOB

In verse 21 of Hebrews chapter eleven we read about the next hero of faith: “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” You may be wondering how what Jacob did can be considered an act of faith. Well, Jacob believed that God would fulfill the promise He made to Abraham through Joseph’s sons (Genesis 48).

In Jacob’s day, it was customary for the oldest child to receive the birthright blessing. However, just like what happened in his own life, Jacob knew that Joseph’s younger son, Ephraim, should receive the blessing over his older brother. So, when it came time to declare the blessing, Jacob blessed Ephraim over Manasseh and this took incredible faith. Jacob went against tradition so that God’s will would be fulfilled.

Takeaway

Real true faith recognizes that God’s will supersedes all traditions, customs and norms. Additionally, through Jacob we see that God honors our faith, even when we fail Him. There were a lot of things that Jacob did that displeased the Lord, but God still recognized the faith that he had.

What does it really mean to have faith?

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JOSEPH

Joseph also demonstrated faith. In Hebrews 11:22 we read the story of Joseph’s faith: “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.”

Joseph knew God’s promises and that the future of his people was found in the Promised Land. By faith, Joseph gave his family instructions to bury him in that land. Even though Joseph would never see the Promised Land, He knew that God would keep His promise.

Four hundred years later, Joseph’s faith was affirmed. When Moses led his people out of Egypt they took the bones of Joseph with them. Moses made sure that Joseph’s bones were buried in the Promised Land.

The faith of all four Hebrew forefathers – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – proved that faith is not blind. These men of faith saw much more than those around them.

Takeaway

Real faith knows for certain that the promises of God will always be fulfilled, even if it takes a long time. It doesn’t matter if we are alive to see God’s promises come to fruition, you can rest assured that God will always do what He says He is going to do.

MOSES’ PARENTS

Jewish tradition records that in Ancient Egypt the Pharaoh was told that there would be a child born to the Israelites who would challenge Egyptian power while raising up the Israelites. As a result, Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew male babies to be put to death. However, Pharaoh did not consider the faith of two parents – the parents of Moses. Moses’ parents placed baby Moses in a basket and set him afloat down the Nile River (Exodus 2).

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” (Hebrews 11:23). Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter in the river and she adopted him as her own.

When our children grow up and become adults, we will have to let them go to live their own lives. Like Moses’ parents, we have to have faith that God will lead and guide them down the best road possible.

Takeaway

It takes solid faith to believe that God will work in the lives of our children. Parents must trust the Lord and pray that our children follow Him.

MOSES

Hebrews 11:24-29 tells us of the great faith of Moses:

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”

Growing up, Moses was afforded many advantages that were not given to his Hebrew brethren. As a member of Egyptian royalty, his wealth was endless. However, Moses “chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…”

Moses was able to rise above the arrogance of Egyptian culture and the foolishness of their idolatry. He was willing to suffer momentarily, in order to follow Almighty God. Moses chose to obey the Lord and hold tight to the promises He made to His people.

Takeaway

Solid faith knows that God always has a plan. True faith believes that God will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6) no matter what we face. It takes true faith to walk away from the things of this world and focus solely on the things of God.

(If You are Having Trouble Trusting in the Lord, click here)

What does it really mean to have faith?

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Final Thoughts

The stories of the heroes of faith found in Hebrews chapter eleven remind us that faith is not merely a belief, but it is living and active. Faith shapes our lives and anchors us in God’s promises. The heroes of faith were not defined by perfection or worldly success, but by their unwavering trust in God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty, hardship, and sacrifice.

The lives of these heroes challenge us to embrace our faith day by day, while knowing that the same God who honored their faith will also honor ours. We should always remember that faith is not just a passive belief but something that we put into action every single day.

Blessings,

Amy

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to share your insights, experiences or questions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

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