The Faith That Starts And Grows In Us
A key turning a quiet lock, a simple picture of trusting Jesus to open today’s door.
Devotional Credit: Day by Day by Grace, Bob Hoekstra
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Faith is not something we manufacture out of grit. It is something Jesus awakens and grows as we keep looking to Him. Bob Hoekstra points us to Hebrews 12:2, where we see Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. He began this story, and He will bring it along to maturity as we keep turning toward Him.
At first, He opened our eyes to our need. Then He showed us His love at the cross. By His Spirit, He convinced our hearts of truth. He drew us to Himself, and we trusted Him. That first yes was His gift at work in us. Grace met us, and faith was born.
The same pattern continues. We do not advance by polishing our old abilities. We grow as the Word reveals Jesus to us again and again, and as His Spirit persuades our hearts to rely on Him in the moment. Faith rises where the Lord is seen, heard, and trusted.
So today we thank God for a faith-story authored by Jesus and carried forward by Jesus. The pressure is not on us to produce faith. The invitation is to keep our eyes on Him. As we do, He deepens our assurance, steadies our steps, and finishes what He started.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I am the One who began your faith, and I am the One who perfects it. I drew you when you were far off, and I opened your eyes to grace. I showed you your need, then I showed you My Son who loved you and gave Himself for you. I sealed this truth in you, and I gave you rest.
Now walk with Me the way you began, by faith in Jesus and His Word. Faith comes as you keep hearing the word of the Anointed One. Let your heart look to Him, set your mind on things above, and present yourself to Me as alive from the dead. I work in you to will and to work, so your obedience is not the strain of the old life, it is My life expressed in you.
You are joined to Jesus. You have died with Him, you were raised with Him, and His life is your life now. Reckon it so. Yield your members to Me. As you abide, I produce trust, perseverance, and joy. I keep you from stumbling. I finish what I start. Fix your gaze on Jesus, and you will find Me supplying what I command.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of turning a key in a quiet door at home. You are not forcing the door with your shoulder. You align the key, you turn, and the lock yields. In the same way, the indwelling Spirit of Jesus aligns your heart with truth and turns the key of trust within you. The door of today opens, not because you ram it, but because He is present and active as you rely on Him.
Try this today when a deadline or difficult conversation arrives. Instead of tightening up or planning ten self-powered steps, pause to acknowledge His presence and simply say, Lord, I entrust this moment to You, live Your faithful life through me as I step in. Then move forward with a settled heart, expecting Jesus to express His patience, clarity, and love through your words and actions.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that Jesus authored my faith and is bringing it to maturity. Thank You that I am united with Him, crucified with Him, raised with Him, and now live by His life. Thank You that Your Spirit persuades my heart through the Word, supplies what You command, and keeps me. I rejoice that I lack no spiritual provision in Christ. Today I walk in what You have already given, trusting You to express the life of Jesus through me for Your glory and the good of others. Amen.
Scripture References for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture Section
Hebrews 12:2, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 1:13, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 10:17, Colossians 3:1-3, Romans 6:11-13, Philippians 2:13, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4-5, Colossians 2:6-7, Jude 24, Philippians 1:6