What does the Bible say about believing when dead?

In John 11:25, Jesus declares, "He that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." This profound statement highlights the mystery of faith amidst spiritual death. The true believer, though spiritually dead due to sin, has been quickened by the Holy Spirit, instilling within them a seed of faith that enables them to reach out to Christ. This faith is not always recognized by the believer as strong or significant, yet it manifests in a hunger for righteousness and a desire to seek the Lord.

Biblical examples like Jonah, Hezekiah, and David illustrate that even at their lowest points, these men possessed a genuine faith. Jonah, despite being in the whale's belly, looked to God's temple; Hezekiah prayed in his illness, and David cried out during his sorrow. Each displayed faith that called upon God even in their distress. Their experiences show that faith exists even in the depths of spiritual helplessness, revealing that true faith is not contingent on our perception of its strength but is rooted in Christ's resurrection and our union with Him.