A Hope Unseen
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” Hebrews 11:1-2
It is not an easy task to pen the concept of faith to words because faith is not something we can tangibly grasp with our hands nor see with our eyes. Faith is something you believe in your heart and the depth of that belief governs who we are. For as a body of believers and followers of Christ, we live by faith, not sight. Of course our focus will be one of having faith in God and his unlimited ability to bring of through any obstacle in life we might encounter.
So how do we grasp that level of belief? First we must we dispel what faith is not. So often, when we are trying to overcome an insurmountable situation or circumstance, we are told to “have faith.” Advice of course given with the best intentions, yet, saying “have faith” to a babe in Christ is like giving a baby solid food that is still nursing on milk. Perhaps explaining the concept of faith from our Scripture text, found in Hebrews, Chapter 11 would give better insight.
And contrary to the popular opinions of this current day, faith is not a commodity that is bought and sold to the highest bidder. Having faith does not relinquish the trials in our lives. Nor does it, as often suggested, determine the degree to which we will gain material wealth. Such teachings only erode our faith in God when not realized. Some of us may even begin to have thoughts of unworthiness of God’s favor or blessings.
Be not deceived beloved, not all messengers are messengers from God. Romans 16:18, “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.”
Now understanding what faith is not, we can now open our hearts whole heartily to the Word of God and discover what faith really is. How it operates in our relationship with God and how our troubles can help us strengthen our faith to go the distance.
Hebrew 11:1 describes faith as “Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Matthew Henry, a well studied man of God provided a practical application on the concept of faith… “It is a firm persuasion and expectation that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ; and this persuasion is so strong that is gives the soul a kind of possession and present fruition of those things… it demonstrates to the eye of the mind the reality of those things that cannot be discerned by the eye of the body. Faith is the firm assent of the soul to the divine revelation and every part of it, and sets to its seal that God is true.” [1]
As Christians we are in essence believing with our heart and mind in God’s Sovereign Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omnipresent (ever-present), Omniscient (all-knowing) authority to direct and guide our lives in Christ Jesus.
Worldly riches may not be God’s plan for our lives. Some of us may even have to wear the battle scars of physical illnesses, permanent disabilities, financial hardships, and physical and mental abuse. However, it does not mean we are any less blessed or highly favored. It simply means we have a different assignment. And in good company, I might add, when we consider the meager humble beginnings, physical sufferings, painful death, and victorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Although your troubles may be many right now, have faith in God’s awesome power to take what was meant to harm or hinder us and turn it around for our good and for the benefit of others.
Sometimes it will take every ounce of our “mustard seed” of faith to continue this journey but we must remember it only takes a mustard seed of faith to move mountains.
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
[1] Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hendrickson Publishers, 1991, 2008.
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