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The Daily Devotional
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Faith That Stands the Test of Time
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1
Reflection
The Eiffel Tower, completed on March 31, 1889, was not welcomed with universal admiration. In fact, it was met with sharp criticism. Many thought it was ugly, unnecessary, and destined to be little more than a passing curiosity. Some could not understand why anyone would construct such a towering iron structure over the Paris skyline. Yet Gustave Eiffel saw what others could not see. He trusted the integrity of his design, the strength of the materials, and the purpose behind the project. He looked beyond the voices of doubt and held fast to a vision that had not yet been fully appreciated. Today, what was once scorned is now one of the most recognized and beloved landmarks in the world. The Eiffel Tower stands not only as a monument of engineering, but also as a reminder that perseverance and confidence in what is not yet fully seen can leave a lasting mark.
In many ways, the life of faith unfolds in a similar manner. God often calls His people to trust Him before the evidence is visible, before others understand, and before the outcome is clear. Faith is rarely applauded at the beginning. More often, it is questioned, misunderstood, or even mocked. Hebrews 11 tells us, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” That verse does not describe a comfortable or easy path. It describes a life rooted in trust, where obedience comes before certainty and where confidence in God must often stand against the skepticism of the world.
The great men and women of faith in Scripture knew this well. Noah built an ark in obedience to God’s warning, though there was no sign of rain and no precedent for what was coming. Abraham left his homeland and stepped into an unknown future simply because God told him to go. Moses stood before Pharaoh, led a grumbling people through the wilderness, and faced impossible odds again and again. None of these servants of God had the full picture when they first obeyed. They moved forward because they trusted the One who did see the full picture.
Imagine standing in Paris in 1889, gazing up at the Eiffel Tower in its earliest days. You might have wondered if it would last, if it would serve any real purpose, or if it would eventually be torn down and forgotten. So often, that is how faith feels in the moment. We stand before something unfinished, uncertain, or fragile, unable to imagine what it will become. The Israelites must have felt something similar when they stood trapped at the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army behind them and no visible escape before them. From a human perspective, there was no path forward. But Moses trusted God, and at the appointed moment, the waters parted. Faith often means believing God is at work before the way becomes clear.
That truth reaches into our own lives more than we may realize. There are seasons when God calls us to trust Him in ways that stretch us beyond our comfort. He may ask us to keep going when others question our calling. He may ask us to remain faithful when the results seem hidden, delayed, or small. He may ask us to persevere through criticism, setbacks, disappointment, or silence. In such moments, the temptation is to pull back, to demand visible proof, or to measure the worth of our obedience by the approval of others. Yet faith reminds us that God’s work is not dependent on human applause. What He begins in us, He is faithful to complete.
Like Gustave Eiffel, we are sometimes called to hold onto a vision others do not understand. Of course, our confidence is not in our own genius or determination, but in the promises and character of God. He sees what we cannot. He knows the purpose behind every season, every delay, every challenge, and every act of obedience. What appears insignificant or questionable to others may, in the hands of God, become something enduring and beautiful.
This invites each of us to pause and ask: what is God calling me to trust Him with today? Where is my faith being tested? Is there a step of obedience I have delayed because I am afraid of failure, criticism, or uncertainty? Am I waiting to see the outcome before I am willing to move forward? These are not easy questions, but they are necessary ones. Faith grows when it is exercised, and trust deepens when we choose to obey God even when the road ahead is unclear.
The Eiffel Tower, once dismissed by many, now stands as a symbol recognized across the world. In much the same way, a life anchored in faith becomes a testimony over time. What begins as a quiet act of obedience may one day speak loudly of God’s faithfulness. What feels fragile today may become a witness to His strength tomorrow. The Lord is often building something in us and through us that we cannot yet fully see.
So let us not lose heart when faith feels difficult or when the world does not understand what God is doing in our lives. Let us keep trusting, keep obeying, and keep believing that the Lord is at work even when the outcome remains hidden. Bold vision, steady perseverance, and confidence in God’s promises can carry us farther than we ever imagined. Even when we cannot yet see the finished work, we can trust that God is shaping our lives into something meaningful for His glory. What He builds will stand, and in His hands, even the most doubted beginnings can become something beautiful.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to trust You even when the world doubts, when circumstances seem unclear, and when fear threatens to take hold. Strengthen our conviction in Your promises, knowing that You are working all things for good. May our faith stand strong, a testimony to Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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