Leap of Faith?

What does it mean to take a leap of faith?

The book of Hebrews is an excellent place to find answers to our questions about faith.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What then is a leap of faith? The term leap of faith is not found in the Bible. It is a common idiom though. Usually to take a leap of faith means to believe in something with no evidence for it, or, to attempt an endeavor that has little chance of success. ” Leap of faith” actually originated in a religious context. The expression was a coined metaphor for belief in God. The argument that truth cannot be found by observation alone but must be understood in the mind and heart apart from verifiable evidence. Since we cannot observe God with our own eyes, we must have faith that He is there. We jump from material concepts to immaterial with a “ leap of faith.”

Continuing in Hebrews chapter 11, we find an impressive list of men and women in the Bible who took a “leap of faith,” as in were. These are just a few of the people mentioned who took God at His word and trusted Him to do what He had promised:

By faith, Noah obeyed God and built an ark to save his family from the flood[Genesis6:9-7:24] By faith, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, believing God would provide a lamb[Genesis22:1-19] By faith, Moses chose to side with the Hebrews rather than stay in the Egyptian palace[Exodus:2-4] By faith, Rahab risked her life and sheltered enemy spies in her home[Joshua 2:1-24]

Throughout the rest of scripture, the stories of the faithful continue. By faith, David confronted a giant with only a sling and a stone[1 Samuel 17] Peter stepped out of the boat when Jesus invited him [Matthew 14:22-33]. The accounts go on and on, each story helping us to understand the biblical meaning of a leap of faith.

Exercising faith in God often requires taking a risk

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

But a biblical step of faith is not a “blind” leap. Our faith is backed by assurance and certainty. Faith is soundly supported by God’s promises in His word. A leap of faith is not an irrational impulse that causes us to jump out into the great unknown without any foresight. According to the Word of God, believers are to seek counsel from godly leaders.

Proverbs 11:14 KJV 1900

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22 KJV 1900

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

Proverbs 24:6 KJV 1900

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: And in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

Also, Christians are to acquire wisdom and direction from God’s words

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:130 KJV 1900

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.

The stories of the Bible exist for a reason. Our trust and faith grow stronger as we read these accounts of God’s powerful deliverance and rescue in times of need. God miraculously delivered Joseph from slavery and placed him in charge over all of Egypt. God transformed Gideon from a coward to a courageous warrior. these Bible characters took , leaps of faith because they trusted in the God who was powerful enough to rescue them, hold them up, and not let them fall.

Jude 24 KJV 1900

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Putting our faith into action may feel like a scary leap, but that is part of the testing and proving of our faith

1 Peter 1:6–9 KJV 1900

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Hebrews 11:17 KJV 1900

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Stepping out in faith requires trusting God to do what He has already promised in His word, even though we may not see the fulfillment of His promise yet. Genuine faith, belief, and trust will move us to action.

A leap of faith might mean leaving the safety of your comfort zone. Peter abandoned his safety and comfort when he jumped out of the boat to walk on water to Jesus. He could take that leap of faith because he knew his Lord and trusted that He was good.

Psalm 145:9 KJV 1900

9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.

When Jesus said, “come” Peter exercised childlike faith, the type of faith we are all called to possess

Luke 18:16 KJV 1900

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

When we demonstrate authentic trust in God, we know that our “leap of faith” is actually a leap into His all-powerful and loving arms. He delights in our trust and rewards those who earnestly pursue Him.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.