When it comes to the magnificent things that God created, my mind is simply inadequate to grasp how God could start with nothing and create anything so complex as the universe.

I’m very glad that in the famous faith chapter of the Bible, Hebrews 11, we’re told how to deal with what is beyond our understanding. Verse three says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (ESV).  Did you notice those words “By faith we understand”? Yes, the only way we can understand how all of this came into being is if we believe in a God who is big enough to accomplish such an amazing feat.

Isn’t faith in a great God the key, however, to understanding all the enigmas of life? I don’t understand why bad things happen to good people. I don’t understand why many evil people are rich and many good people are poor. The biggest thing I don’t understand is how God could love us human beings enough to send His Son, Jesus, to be nailed to a cross to pay for our sins. Only by faith can we understand.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” I like that verse because it tells me exactly what I need to believe in order to know I have the faith that pleases God. I need to believe:

• That God exists, and
• That God rewards those who seek Him.

If you believe those two facts, that’s all the faith you need. By faith you can understand.