Resting in the Faith of the Son of God
Have you ever found yourself exhausted from trying to muster up enough faith? Maybe you’ve read God’s promises and thought, "I should believe this more. I need to trust harder." But no matter how hard you try, it feels like your faith just isn’t enough to match the vastness of what God promises or the depth of what you need.
For over 20 years, I tried to drum up my own faith, striving in my own strength to meet life’s challenges. But no matter how hard I tried, my efforts always came up short. It wasn’t until I exchanged my life in Adam for the victorious life of Christ that I began to understand true freedom.
I quickly learned that I am far better off relying on Christ’s life within me—not just for my strength, wisdom, and love, but even for my faith. Today’s Days of Heaven on Earth devotional by A.B. Simpson speaks directly to this truth: the Christian life is not lived by “our faith” but by the faith of the Son of God. This isn’t about striving, struggling, or “drumming up” belief—it’s about resting in the faith of the One who already lives in us and through us.
Let’s explore this incredible truth and discover how we can stop striving and start living by the faith of Jesus Himself.
Not "Our Faith," But His
Simpson writes:
"Faith is hindered most of all by what we call 'our faith'—fruitless struggles to work out a faith which is but make-believe."
This resonates deeply with my own experience. For years, I thought faith depended solely on my effort. But Simpson points out the futility of this approach: our faith will always come up short.
Why? Because God’s promises are so vast, and the challenges of life are so great, that only the faith of Jesus Himself is sufficient. As Paul declared in Galatians 2:20 (KJV):
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
This isn’t about us drumming up belief—it’s about Jesus imparting His faith to us as we rest in Him.
Faith as His Gift
Simpson continues:
"The only faith that is equal to the stupendous promises of God and the measureless needs of our lives is the faith of the Son of God Himself."
Think about that for a moment: the same faith that Jesus exercised perfectly during His earthly ministry is now available to us because He dwells in us. This isn’t just faith in Jesus—it’s the faith of Jesus, living and active within us.
Mark 11:22 (KJV) reflects this truth:
"Have faith in God."
In the KJV margin, this is noted as "Have the faith of God." Jesus invites us not to muster our own belief but to participate in His faith. This is faith that:
Trusts completely in the Father’s will.
Sees beyond circumstances to God’s promises.
Rests in the unchanging character of God.
It’s no wonder Simpson exclaims:
"Blessed be the name of Jesus! He has bound us to Himself with a cord that fully reaches our poor helpless hearts."
This cord—the faith of Jesus—connects us to the limitless resources of heaven.
Living by His Faith
So, how do we live by the faith of the Son of God? Here are a few practical insights:
Acknowledge Your Helplessness
The first step is admitting that your own faith isn’t enough. This isn’t failure—it’s freedom. Jesus Himself said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
This is illustrated beautifully in the story of the father of the demon-possessed boy in Mark 9. When Jesus told him, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth,” the father responded with both honesty and faith: “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24, KJV).
The father’s cry reminds us that faith isn’t about perfection—it’s about dependence. Even in his doubt, the father looked to Jesus for what he lacked, and Jesus met him there. This is the same for us: when our faith falters, we can rest in the faith of the Son of God, who sustains and strengthens us.
Abide in Christ
The faith of Jesus flows through a life of abiding. Spend time with Him in prayer, in His Word, and in quiet trust. As you remain close to Him, His faith will become your faith.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).
Rest in His Promises
When doubts arise, remind yourself that faith isn’t about how hard you can believe—it’s about trusting the One who lives within you. Just as Jesus supplied what the father in Mark 9 needed, He will supply what you need.
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Yield Moment by Moment
Living by the faith of the Son of God isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily, moment-by-moment yielding to Him. When fears or struggles arise, say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me in this moment.”
Resting in His Faith
The encounter in Mark 9 reminds us that even our smallest seed of faith is honored when it is placed in the right object—Jesus. The father’s cry, “help thou mine unbelief,” is a powerful declaration of dependence on Christ’s sufficiency rather than his own.
When you feel your faith faltering, you don’t have to drum up strength or strive harder. Jesus invites you to rest in His faith, just as He met the father in his weakness.
Conclusion: A Life Anchored in His Faith
The faith of the Son of God changes everything. It frees us from striving and struggling to believe, inviting us instead to rest in the One who has already overcome.
When we stop trying to manufacture faith and start resting in His perfect supply, life takes on a whole new perspective. This is not about working harder; it’s about yielding to Him who works in us.
Reflection Question:
Are you still trying to live by your own faith, or have you discovered the joy of resting in the faith of the Son of God?
Closing Thought:
You were never meant to live the Christian life in your own strength—or by your own faith. Jesus Himself is your life, your sufficiency, and your victory. Rest in Him, and let His life flow through you today.