How do you walk by faith not by sight? That is a great question. Let’s look at some examples from the Bible of people walking by faith.
By faith we understand that the universe was framed by the word of God, so that things that are seen were not made out of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:3
Walking by Faith
We didn’t see how God created the universe. But by faith, we believe that He made the world out of invisible things. We either accept God’s testimony or reject it; we don’t see it with our own eyes. Those who believe it walk by faith. How do you walk by faith not by sight?
Touching Jesus’ Garment
“And a certain woman had a hemorrhage for twelve years…. When she had heard of Jesus, she … touched His garment. For she said, “If I may touch His garments, I shall be healed.” And immediately …she felt in her body that she was healed. At once, Jesus knew within Himself that power had gone out of Him. He … said… “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction (Mark 5:25-34).”
Superstition didn’t drive this otherwise hopeless woman to touch Jesus’ cloak. Touching His cloak symbolically put herself under Jesus’ protection. And Jesus’ cloak wasn’t a magic cloak; power went out from Jesus because she believed He would heal her. She walked by faith.
Building an Ark
By faith Noah, being divinely warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to save his family, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith (Hebrews 11:7).
No Rain
The Garden of Eden was watered, not by rain, “but a mist arose from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground (Genesis 2:6).” So, it may have never rained before God sent Noah’s flood. Despite that, God warned Noah that a flood was coming (water for the flood came from other sources too):
“All the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened (Genesis 7:11).”
No Evidence
Since Noah feared God and believed in Him, he built the ark on dry land that saved him and his family. He walked by faith and not by sight. For Noah, God’s word was “the evidence of things not seen (Genesis 7:11).”
Bringing Joseph’s Bones
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, mentioned the exodus of the children of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones (Hebrews 11:23).
Based on God’s Promise
God promised Joseph that, even though his extended family dwelled in Egypt when he died, God would lead the Jews to their Promised Land in the future. Joseph died about four hundred years before Moses led the Jews out of Egypt by crossing the Red Sea. But on his deathbed, Joseph instructed that when the Jews left Egypt to inherit their Promised Land, they would bring his bones with them.
Testimony While Dead!
By faith, Joseph made this unusual request. He walked by faith–even while dead!–not seeing the nation get its Promise.
Testimony While Dying!
They stoned Stephen as he called on God, praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Having said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:59-60).
The Jews stoned Stephen for testifying about Jesus. Stephen’s testimony continued as they stoned him. By faith, Stephen saw Jesus rise to His feet to receive Stephen into heaven. Stephen gave up his life in this world for his Lord, walking by faith.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the men of old (and of all time) obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:1-2
