“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:3-5).
What does it mean to be “protected by the power of God THROUGH FAITH”? What does faith have to do with God’s protection?
One of the lessons of the gospels is that our faith matters. Jesus choose who to heal, when to heal, how to heal. But concurrent with Jesus’s actions, the faith of the recipient made a difference based on Jesus’ own words. Just look at this short list.
When a paralytic’s friends lowered him through the roof:
“And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven’ ” (Matthew 9:2).
To the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ cloak:
“But Jesus turning and seeing her said, ‘Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.’ At once the woman was made well” (Matthew 9:22).
When Jesus was approached by two blind men:
“When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘It shall be done to you according to your faith.’ And their eyes were opened” (Matthew 9:28-30).
To a Gentile woman whose daughter was demon-possessed:
“Then Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at once” (Matthew 15:28).
For a blind beggar named Bartimaeus:
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road” (Mark 10:52).
To the woman who anointed Jesus’s feet:
“And He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ “ (Luke 7:50).
To a leper on the road to Jerusalem:
“And He said to him, ‘Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.’ “ (Luke 17:19).
I don’t know all of the ins and outs of how this works. I only know that taking Jesus’ words at face value, their faith mattered. And your faith matters. Your faith in God’s power to protect you makes a difference. It secures your peace and joy and calm in whatever you are facing that needs God’s protection.
It is an interesting comparison to when the disciples were not so sure of God’s protection in the storm. When Jesus was awakened in the storm and proceeded to calm the sea, He turned to His disciples with just one question, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25).
May our faith to trust in God’s protection be completely and unflinchingly in our Savior, Jesus.