Leading The Way - Devotional for May 23
May 23, 2026
Lessons on Faith
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
We have a culture that talks about faith all the time. “Have faith in your government; have faith in your community; have faith in yourself.” In today’s society, “faith” has devolved in meaning. Now, when people “have faith,” they often mean they are wishing for something or are working to manifest the result by believing it will happen. But there are two essential things you need to know about faith.
First, there is no power in simply having faith. A lot of people talk about the power of having faith, but the reality is there is no power in faith itself. Power is only found in the object of faith, and if the object of your faith is the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone, then you are a powerful, victorious Christian. Your faith is dynamic; your faith is powerful; your faith will move mountains if the object of your faith is the Lord Jesus.
Second, faith has nothing to do with feelings. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith says, “God said it. I believe it. And that settles it.”
And lest we boast in our faith, rather than the object of our faith, our Redeemer, let us remember:
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:6-9)
Prayer: Father, You are the object of my faith. I rejoice knowing that my faith is not in vain because my faith is in You alone and not based on how I feel. You are always faithful and what You say will come to pass. I trust in Your Word and sovereign love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon 12 Evidences of Faith, Joy in Trials: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
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Listen to Dr. Michael Youssef on today's broadcast of Leading The Way at OnePlace.com.
Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
