Hebrews 11:1-6
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
I love, love Hebrews 11. It is the one chapter in all scripture that brings the subject of faith to life in ways that are revelatory for us believers. There are so many iterations of the definition of faith in our culture. Way too many. So many fallacies and misconceptions of what faith is or what it’s intended to do. But Hebrews makes it clear.
All too often we get enamored with the prospect of answered prayers and fulfilled solicitations, so when things work out to our liking we become confident that it was the work of our faith. While these beliefs embolden us to ask anything of God with an expectation the blessing is immediately on the way, unfortunately that incorrect thinking causes many of us to get discouraged and abandon our faith when things don’t go our way. Please understand faith is not a cure-all or salve we rub on all our earthly problems. It’s more. Sisters and brothers, faith is the most powerful element of our spiritual existence. It’s not just something we sing and preach about. The Bible declares, “the just shall live by faith”.
Faith is not the questions we ask or the answers we receive. Faith is not the solicitations we make, or the actions we take. Faith is not even the prayers we pray. Faith is infinitely more. Faith is the substance that emanates from the God we trust. It’s the basis for our relationship with Him. Faith is the container we place all our hope in. It is the substantiation of the imperceptible, invisible, yet powerful and complete. In essence, it is the culmination of all we know God to be.
The Hebrews writer lists several notable champions of faith in what is commonly called the ‘Honor Roll of Faith’. Beginning with Abel, he mentions Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab and many others. The significance of these giants of faith has great ramification for us. While none of them truly experienced the totality of the promises of God, the complete fulfillment of the expectation of the glory of God has been delayed to include us. Though God began the revelation of this journey of faith thousands of years ago, it has lingered and is now accessible to us. We have been blessed with the grace to experience the fruition of His promise.
The Hebrew writer reminds us that when there was nothing, (no heaven, no earth) the invisible God used nothing but the power of His Word to create all that exists. In other words, the reality of creation began on nothing except in the mind of God. Other than inside the mind of God there was no evidence of the universe. And in the same manner, the fulfillment of the promises of Kingdom and glory, are exclusively within the sovereign will and timing of God. It is our hope in Him that is our salvation. Our hope in who He is sustains us and creates the mechanisms in our spirit that develop and mature as faith.
Faith then is a byproduct of our hope. Without hope, or hope misplaced, misguided and misused, we will never develop true and enduring faith. We know without faith it is impossible to please God. So hold on and never lose hope.
God Bless
