God’s Definition of Faith

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-7

Key Verse: Hebrews 11:1

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews chapter eleven is often referred to as the “faith” chapter. The entire chapter is devoted to the theme of faith and how it works in a person’s life.

The first verse, today’s Key Verse, gives us God’s definition of faith and the English Standard Version gives us a good translation: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.

For example, I have the assurance that all things will work out for my good, even when I cannot see it. That assurance is the beginning of faith. After years of watching God do what He says He will do, I have the conviction that all things will work out for my good.

Take a moment and ask yourself: What it is that you have assurance for or conviction of?

If your faith is strong then I imagine that you can think of several things about God for which you have assurance or conviction.

Hebrews chapter eleven reminds us that faith is all about things that we cannot see. Faith is believing God brings about that which has not happened yet.

Obviously, it takes no faith to trust God for things that have already happened. However, life has a way of bringing things around that we have dealt with before. Hopefully, our faith is stronger when we have had God take care of an issue before and it pops up its ugly head again. For these repeating issues or problems, we should be able to have a solid faith that God is going to help us through once again to victory.

I believe that the number one enemy of faith is fear. When a problem comes up in our life, we may know that God will help us. But we may fear what He might allow to happen.

For example, when a child is sick, a parent can have the faith to know God is able to heal but can still fear that God might allow the child to die.

My own parents lost two young children before I came along, yet they never lost their faith in a loving God. God’s grace sustained them during those dark days of their lives.

When we are experiencing fear, we must remind ourselves that whatever happens we will receive strength to endure it even if the worst-case scenario happens.

My parents have joined those children in heaven now, and all the questions about why God allowed it to happen have been wiped away.

We all have lots of questions about why things happen. But our faith helps us cling to the wisdom and love of God when we cannot find answers.

Father, I will trust You even when I do not understand You. In Jesus’s Name, amen.