Faith can be summed up as dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance in all things and a trust that God will answer all prayers in due time.
The story of Abraham’s reaction to God’s request that he sacrifice his only son Isaac illustrates raw faith. God made a ridiculous request of Abraham. In response, Abraham began getting ready for a journey that might lead to the loss of what he valued most, his only son.
So, he chopped wood and saddled his donkey. He asked no questions but set immediately about the work required to do what was asked.
As they approached the mountain, Isaac became curious. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering”(22:7)?
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (22:8).
God did provide the lamb that day. Many years later he provided a sacrifice for us all in the form of Jesus.
God will test your heart and faith. Will you chop wood and saddle your donkey? That’s the practical part you must do, all the while not knowing what God will do but trusting he has a plan.
You will only have the sort of faith that enables action when God calls versus feelings and questions if you trust that God is all seeing, all powerful, righteous in his judgement, the embodiment of love and mercy.
This is the kind of faith Daniel exhibited in the lions den as well as Peter when Jesus called him to put his fishing nets back out when it didn’t make sense.
You must act when God urges or confronts you with a situation, even though you don’t understand. You must wait when the hour seems late. If you refuse, the outcome will be far less than what God had planned for you.