Faith: Trusting God in the Ordinary and Extraordinary

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Assurance of Things Hoped For

Faith is not about having all the answers or seeing every proof, but about holding a deep conviction in the promises of God, even when they are unseen. This assurance is what sustains believers through uncertainty, loss, and the ordinary moments of life. The journey of faith often requires trust in what cannot be fully explained, and yet, through scripture and the experiences of God’s presence, there is enough evidence to keep moving forward. Faith is the anchor that allows one to hope for what is not yet visible, and to live with confidence in God’s ultimate goodness. [00:36]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: Where in your life are you being called to trust God for something you cannot yet see, and how can you take one step of faith in that area today?

Day 2: God Gives Signs and Moments of His Presence

God often reveals Himself through unexpected signs and moments—sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic—that bring peace, comfort, or clarity just when they are needed most. These moments may come during times of grief, worship, or quiet reflection, reminding us that God is near and attentive to our needs. While faith does not depend on constant signs, recognizing these God-moments can strengthen conviction and provide reassurance in difficult times. [02:49]

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Reflection: Recall a time when you sensed God’s presence in an unexpected way—how did it affect your faith, and how can you remain attentive to such moments in your daily life?

Day 3: Obedience and Humility Open the Door to Healing

Sometimes God’s instructions may seem simple or even unimpressive, yet obedience and humility in following them can lead to profound transformation and healing. Like Naaman, who resisted the prophet’s command to wash in the Jordan but was healed when he obeyed, we are invited to trust God’s ways even when they differ from our expectations. True faith is shown not just in belief, but in the willingness to act on God’s word, even in the ordinary or humble tasks He sets before us. [03:20]

2 Kings 5:13-14 (ESV)
But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Reflection: Is there a simple act of obedience or humility God is asking of you right now that you have been resisting? What would it look like to say “yes” today?

Day 4: Gratitude Deepens Faith and Relationship with God

Returning to thank God for His gifts, as the healed leper did, is an essential part of the life of faith. Gratitude not only honors God but also deepens our awareness of His ongoing work in our lives. Even when answers to prayer or signs of God’s presence are not as clear as we would like, choosing to thank Him for what He has done and is doing keeps our hearts open and receptive to His grace. [06:34]

Luke 17:15-16 (ESV)
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can express gratitude to God today for something He has done in your life, even if it seems small?

Day 5: Faith Grows Through Showing Up and Saying “Yes”

The journey of faith is often about consistently showing up—returning to God in prayer, worship, and daily life, even when feelings or signs are lacking. Each “yes” to God, each act of trust, builds a deeper relationship and prepares the heart for the fullness of His promises. Faith is not a one-time event but a continual response to God’s invitation, leading us step by step toward the hope of heaven. [06:54]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life do you need to keep “showing up” and saying “yes” to God, even when it feels routine or difficult? What is one practical way you can do that this week?

Sermon Summary

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. This is not a blind leap, but a deep trust in God’s presence and promises, even when we cannot see the full picture. God, in His mercy, often gives us signs—moments of grace, peace, or even small miracles—that remind us He is near. These signs may come in unexpected ways: a creak in the church roof, a sudden light in a moment of grief, or the quiet movement of the Spirit in our hearts. Yet, faith is not about demanding proof from God at every turn. Instead, it is about recognizing His presence in both the extraordinary and the ordinary, and responding with gratitude and trust.

The stories of Naaman the Syrian and the ten lepers highlight the importance of obedience and humility in faith. Naaman almost missed his healing because he expected something dramatic, but it was in the simple act of washing in the Jordan that he was cleansed. Similarly, the lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus’ instruction to show themselves to the priests. Only one, a foreigner, returned to give thanks, and it was his faith and gratitude that Jesus praised. These stories remind us that God often works through ordinary means and that our response should be one of thanksgiving and continued trust.

Faith is not a one-time event but a daily journey. It is strengthened as we return to God again and again, especially in the sacraments, to say “yes” and “thank you.” Sometimes God gives us clear signs; other times, He simply asks us to walk in trust, following His commandments and showing up in prayer and worship. In all things, faith is about holding fast to God’s truth, even when it is not immediately evident, and allowing that conviction to guide us toward the hope of heaven.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is Rooted in Trust, Not Proof Faith is not about having constant, tangible evidence of God’s presence. It is the conviction of things unseen, a trust that God is working even when we cannot see or understand. This trust is what sustains us through uncertainty and leads us to deeper relationship with God. [00:36]
2. God Gives Signs, But Not Always as We Expect God often provides signs of His presence, but they may come in subtle or unexpected ways—a creaking roof, a flickering light, a moment of peace in sorrow. These moments are gifts to strengthen our faith, but we are not to demand them as proof. Instead, we are called to be attentive and grateful for the ways God reveals Himself. [02:30]
3. Obedience in the Ordinary Leads to Grace Like Naaman and the lepers, we may be tempted to look for dramatic answers or extraordinary experiences. Yet, God often asks us to act in simple obedience—following His commandments, participating in the sacraments, and trusting His instructions. It is in these ordinary acts that grace and healing are often found. [03:20]
4. Gratitude Deepens Our Faith The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was praised for his faith. Gratitude is not just a response to blessings, but a way of deepening our relationship with God. Returning to God in thanksgiving, especially in the Eucharist, opens our hearts to receive even more of His presence and love. [04:50]
5. Faith is a Daily Journey of Saying “Yes” Faith is not static; it is a continual process of showing up, saying “yes,” and trusting God’s truth even when it is not clear. Sometimes we see signs, sometimes we simply walk in obedience, but in all things, faith leads us toward the hope of heaven and the assurance that God is with us.

** [06:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - The Nature of Faith: Assurance and Conviction
[01:07] - God’s Signs in Our Lives
[01:24] - A Funeral Story: Light in Darkness
[01:53] - Moments of Peace Amid Tragedy
[02:12] - The Spirit’s Presence in the Ordinary
[02:30] - Signs During the Eucharist
[02:49] - Naaman’s Story: Healing Through Obedience
[03:20] - The Power of Simple Acts
[03:41] - Redirecting Praise to God
[04:10] - Jesus and the Ten Lepers
[04:30] - Following the Law and Receiving Healing
[04:50] - Gratitude and Faith
[05:10] - Recognizing God’s Presence
[06:04] - Returning in Thanksgiving
[06:34] - Faith in the Daily Journey
[06:54] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) — "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

2. 2 Kings 5:9-14 (ESV)
(The story of Naaman being healed after washing in the Jordan.)

3. Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)
(The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers, and only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks.)

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? What two qualities are mentioned?
In the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5:9-14), what did the prophet ask Naaman to do, and how did Naaman respond at first?
In Luke 17:11-19, what did Jesus tell the ten lepers to do, and what happened as they obeyed?
The sermon gave examples of God giving signs in unexpected ways, like a creaking roof or a flickering light. What were some of these examples, and how did people respond to them? [02:12]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Naaman was disappointed with the prophet’s instructions? What does this reveal about our expectations of how God should work? [03:20]
Only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus. Why do you think gratitude is so closely connected to faith in this story? [04:50]
The sermon said, “Faith is not about demanding proof from God at every turn.” What might be the danger in always seeking signs or proof from God? [05:10]
The pastor described faith as a “daily journey” and not a one-time event. What does it look like to return to God again and again in trust and thanksgiving? [06:34]

Application Questions

The sermon described faith as “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen.” Is there an area in your life right now where you are struggling to trust God without seeing the full picture? What would it look like to trust Him more in that area? [00:36]
Have you ever experienced a “sign” from God—big or small—that encouraged your faith? How did you recognize it, and how did it affect your trust in God? [02:30]
Like Naaman, have you ever resisted something God was asking you to do because it seemed too simple or ordinary? What happened when you finally obeyed, or what might happen if you did? [03:20]
The story of the ten lepers highlights the importance of gratitude. What is one specific way you can return to God in thanksgiving this week, especially for something you might have taken for granted? [04:50]
The pastor mentioned that faith is strengthened as we “show up” in prayer, worship, and the sacraments. Is there a spiritual practice you have neglected that you want to return to as a way of saying “yes” to God? [06:34]
Sometimes God’s presence is felt in the ordinary—a quiet moment, a creak in the roof, a sense of peace. How can you become more attentive to God’s presence in the everyday moments of your life? [02:12]
The sermon said, “Faith is a daily journey of saying ‘yes.’” What is one small “yes” you can say to God this week, even if you don’t see immediate results? [06:34]

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