Greetings in the love of God. If you've found yourself here, there's a good chance you're searching for something deeper in your walk of faith. Whether you're struggling with doubt or simply hungering for spiritual sustenance, you're in the right place. 🌿
In Hebrew, faith is translated as 'Emunah,' a term that is rich in nuance and significance. So, what does it mean to have faith? Is it merely intellectual or something more?
The Root of 'Emunah'
The word itself comes from the root word "aman," which is translated in various ways: believe, assurance, faithful, sure, established, trust, and even one who carries and cares for someone like a parent or nurse. These translations each capture a facet of what it means to truly have faith—to have Emunah.
Outline of Biblical Usage:
To support, confirm, be faithful
To foster as a parent or nurse
To be established, made firm, sure, lasting
Definitions from Strong's Concordance: A primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain.
"And he believed (aman) the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness." – Genesis 15:6
Wisdom Encoded: The Ancient Hebrew Letters
The Hebrew letters that compose 'Emunah' (אמונה) are more than mere symbols; they are a blueprint, a guide, and they tell a story. They ask us to explore the Who, What, and How of our faith. This isn't poetic metaphor; this is deeply encoded wisdom from God.
Breaking Down Emunah through Ancient Pictographs
Aleph (א): An ox head, symbolizing God as our strong leader. God is One, the Source, the Unity.
Mem (מ): Water, symbolizing chaos and the unknown.
Vav (ו): A nail or peg, symbolizing Christ who secures us and the connection between Heaven and Earth.
Nun (נ): A sprouting seed, symbolizing new life and faithfulness.
Hey (ה): A man with arms raised, symbolizing revelation and awe.
The United Message of 'Emunah'
When we look at the ancient pictographs for Emunah—each letter carries its own significance. Aleph represents God as our Chief, Mem signifies the unknowns that require faith, Vav embodies Christ who secures us, Nun represents the promise of new life, and Hey speaks of God revealing Himself to us. It's not just knowing God exists; it's living in a trusting relationship with Him.
Abraham's Journey: The First Mention of 'Emunah'
Abraham, known as the father of faith, demonstrated what it means to have faith in God. His relationship with God was one of trust—trust that God would fulfill His promises. Abraham was a man who trusted God's promise and was willing to step out in faith. And God reckoned this trust as righteousness.
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." – James 2:17
Just like Abraham trusted in God's promises, Emunah calls us into an active, trusting relationship with God. Real faith—Emunah—is active trust. It isn't just acknowledging facts. It's about walking hand-in-hand with the God who’s woven His intentions and love into the very language we use to describe our relationship with Him.
Active Trust: A Personal Challenge
To believe in God is one thing, but to trust in His promises is another. Trust implies an active relationship, a faith that impacts the way we live. So here's the challenge: what areas in your life are you holding back from God? Can you, today, choose to trust His promises?
When we take a step of faith, we are essentially walking in Abraham's footsteps, leaning on God as a child leans on a parent or nurse. Just as Abraham trusted God as his "foster-father," so too do we lean into a trusting relationship with our heavenly Father.
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15)
Hearing Through the Word: Romans 10:17
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Here, the word "hearing" beautifully layers with Emunah. It's not passive listening but an active turning of our hearts toward the promises God has spoken over us. God's leadership (Aleph) takes root in our lives, guiding us through chaos (Mem), securing us in Christ (Vav), planting seeds of faith (Nun), and revealing Himself to us (Hey).
The Solid Ground of 'Emunah'
In studying the depths of the word 'Emunah,' it becomes apparent that faith isn't about simply 'knowing' but about 'living.' It's not about doctrines but about an intimate relationship with God that permeates every aspect of our lives. Faith is a gift (Nun: A sprouting seed), but it is also a responsibility, a trust (Aleph: God as our leader), and it can be the bedrock on which we build our lives (Mem: Water, the unknown, the chaos we navigate through).
If you find this message stirring something within you, I invite you to take some time for prayer and reflection. Write down the promises of God you're struggling to trust and bring them before Him in prayer.
I hope that these reflections empower you to live a life of profound faith, just as Abraham did, impacting not just your world but generations to come. Amen.
Prayer to Trust God's Plan
Lord, thank you for calling me to come to you. Thank you for inviting me to call you Father. Thank you for your patience with me while I wander and learn your ways. Sometimes I wonder if my troubles are consequences for my actions, attacks from the enemy, or your hand refining me for my eternal relationship with you. Confusion leaves room for doubt and fear to creep in but I refuse to let it steal my joy. May your peace never be hidden from me. Remind me to bring my concerns directly to you so that you can bless my understanding and shower me in the reassurance of your care for me. Guide my hand and my heart to the pillars in your word that my spirit and soul can lean on. There I will find rest. There I will not be shaken. I will look and listen for your instructions knowing you are with me now, that you will be with me tomorrow, and that you are guiding me to glory. Amen.
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