I write this blog in a season of trusting and in a season of feeling vulnerable. I experienced a miscarriage in March of 2024. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and life experiences. Fast forward to today, as I write this blog I am 25 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby. It’s been a beautiful pregnancy, but it hasn’t come without fear or worry.
During my first prenatal exam the nurse estimated my due date by the standard information given from the last menstrual cycle. However, I had a different date in mind vs the date I was given. The nurse then proceeded to check for a heart beat externally using a fetal doppler. She searched for several minutes before looking at me with concern and said she couldn’t find it. She offered to take me immediately have an ultrasound done, knowing the last pregnancy ended in a loss.
As I sat there alone, with tears rolling down my face. I took a deep breath and prayed silently. That’s when I heard in my spirit the phrase, “Walk by Faith”. My eyes instantly flew open, I smiled and told the nurse I knew God had this pregnancy and I would trust in him. The nurse smiled but proceeded to give all the warning signs of a miscarriage and to call if I experienced any of them.
I went home emotional but trusting that God had this pregnancy. Dylan and I prayed together. We decided to wait the 4-weeks till the next scheduled appointment and ultrasound. That lovely, yet emotional day came. The ultrasound technician was so compassionate and professional. I communicated everything to her from the previous appointment. I also shared my estimated due date based on my thoughts vs what the nurse had calculated during the last appointment. As the ultrasound began, I heard that voice again on my spirit, “Walk by Faith”. I smiled and held back tears, knowing that God had this. That HE had a plan.
The ultrasound technician knew immediately why the nurse couldn’t find a heartbeat externally during the first appointment. She smiled and said, “your baby is measuring 3-weeks behind what the nurse had factored. It was to small to register an external heartbeat during your last appointment.” She looked at my estimated due date math and smiled stating that my math matched the baby’s growth measurements. I was given a new due date and peace of mind that our baby was healthy.
I share all of this information because it’s what sparked my research and study into the biblical meaning behind “Walking by Faith”
Walking by faith is a central theme in the Christian life. But what does it mean to “walk by faith”? It’s a phrase that encapsulates how we live our daily lives in trust and dependence on God. Understanding the biblical foundation of this phrase involves digging into the original languages—Hebrew and Greek. By exploring these terms, we can gain a deeper, more God-centered perspective on what it truly means to walk by faith.
The Hebrew Concept: Halakhah (הֲלָכָה)
In the Old Testament, the idea of “walking” is often connected to the Hebrew word halakhah (הֲלָכָה). While this term can simply mean “to walk” in a physical sense, it has a profound spiritual meaning. Halakhah refers to one’s way of life or behavior, encompassing all aspects of a person’s conduct according to God’s commands. It is not just about the act of walking but about living a life aligned with God’s will. In essence, halakhah implies a journey in which our steps, actions, and decisions are guided by God’s instructions.
The term halakhah is rooted in the concept of walking in the ways of the Lord. For instance, in Genesis 17:1, God calls Abraham to “walk before me and be blameless.” This walk signifies a life of faith, obedience, and a covenant relationship with God. The same sense of walk is found in the book of Deuteronomy, where God instructs His people to walk in His statutes (Deuteronomy 5:28-30). It’s not merely a physical path but a way of life that reflects faith and trust in God.
This understanding of walking by faith can be seen in the daily decisions and practices that reflect a life that is governed by God’s truth. It involves making choices that are in line with His will and walking in righteousness, even when circumstances are uncertain. The Hebrew word for “walk” invites believers to see their entire journey—life itself—as a walk with God, under His guidance and protection.
The Greek Concept: Peripateo (περιπατέω)
Moving into the New Testament, the Greek word peripateo (περιπατέω) is frequently used to describe the Christian walk of faith. It literally means “to walk around” but carries a deeper connotation of living or conducting one’s life in a certain manner. The verb peripateo is used in several New Testament passages to describe the Christian’s manner of living, especially in relation to one’s faith in Christ.
One of the key passages where peripateo appears is in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This verse emphasizes that the Christian life is not one based on external circumstances or visible realities but is grounded in trust in God’s promises. Faith becomes the lens through which we interpret our world, and walking by faith involves trusting in the unseen, relying on God’s guidance and sovereignty.
The Greek term peripateo is also used in the imperative form, urging Christians to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). This suggests that walking by faith isn’t a passive activity but requires intentionality. It’s an active, ongoing decision to align one’s life with the will of God, even when the road ahead seems unclear. It’s about living out the reality of the gospel in everyday life.
In the context of walking by faith, peripateo suggests a lifestyle that is shaped by a constant dependence on God’s Word, relying on His Spirit, and moving forward in obedience, even in the face of challenges. It speaks to the process of sanctification—growing in the likeness of Christ by continually walking in faith.
Faith as Trust in God
Both halakhah and peripateo convey the idea that walking by faith is not a solitary or passive journey. It is always in relationship with God. The faith that underpins this walk is not just intellectual assent but a deep, abiding trust in God’s promises. In the Hebrew Scriptures, walking in the ways of God was about a covenant relationship that demanded trust and obedience. We can see this, over and over with Abraham and his life. In the Greek New Testament, walking by faith is about a life that is continually shaped by the truth of the gospel.
To walk by faith, then, is to surrender ourselves fully to God’s leadership. It’s to trust in His promises, even when we can’t see the full picture. It’s about walking with God through every circumstance, knowing that He is our guide, protector, and provider.
A God-Centered Walk
Walking by faith is not just about individual perseverance or maintaining a positive outlook; it’s about constantly turning to God. This walk should be God-centered, meaning our trust is not placed in ourselves, our abilities, or our circumstances, but in God’s character and faithfulness. When we center our walk in God, we remember His sovereignty, His wisdom, and His goodness.
The apostle Paul calls believers to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Walking by faith means that our lives are not dictated by what we see or feel in the present moment. Instead, we orient our entire existence around the eternal truth of God’s Word. Just as Abraham walked with God by trusting in His promises, and the Apostle Paul exhorted Christians to live by faith, we are called to do the same.
Walking by faith is not merely a phrase or a concept; it is a way of life. Both the Hebrew halakhah and the Greek peripateo emphasize that this walk is about more than just physical movement; it’s a lifestyle that reflects trust in God. It is about allowing our faith to guide every step we take, regardless of circumstances.
In a world that often emphasizes self-reliance and visible results, walking by faith challenges us to depend on God and to live according to His truth, even when we cannot see the outcome. Let us walk by faith, keeping our eyes fixed on Yeshua/Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and trust that He will lead us every step of the way.
In this season, taking a deep breath and pressing forward “Walking by Faith” knowing that this path we walk on, we don’t walk alone. Our Heavenly Father is always with us and he’s already gone before us! Remembering the battle has already been fought and won by Yeshua/Jesus.
Keep pressing forward, step by step. “May Adonai bless you and keep you. May Adonai make his face shine on you and show you his favor. May Adonai lift up his face toward you and give you peace.”
“…for we live by trust, not by what we see.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:7
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