The Substantive Nature of Faith

Scripture: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Observation: The author of Hebrews will go on to provide the litany of faith evidenced by the patriarchs. Not just Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but Noah, Abel, Enoch, Moses, Samson, Rahab, Gideon, David, Samuel, etc. In all these cases, he defines the faith they had not by their word or actions - not by something they professed or by the fact they waited, acted, or did anything at all. Instead, he defines faith by the results that proceeded from God. Faith became real through ... a flood, the falling of Jericho, the birth of a child, a future exodus, an enemy's defeat, etc.

In addition, in each example where the author goes into some detail (Enoch, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Joseph), faith is part of a relationship with God. Either through a life of seeking God's will, joy in a life following God, or directly listening to God's word, the individual learns of God, and demonstrates faith.

The author calls faith "the substance" of things hoped for, and "the evidence" of things not seen. Faith is not the unseen hope ... it is the very real, very tangible elements of the relationship with God.

Application: Faith and hope are not the same thing. Paul's letters document them as independent elements. Faith is not hoping something will occur. Instead, faith is trusting in a tangible outcome because one is in a relationship with God. Sometime we may know the outcome ('I'm building a boat because I know there will be a flood'), but sometimes we may not ('I just wanted to be closer to God, I didn't know he'd make me a prophet!'). However, faith has an outcome, and that outcome is observable and real.

So many times I have heard this verse out of context. I have heard it quoted in a manner that directly connects the first three and last three words only. The result is "Now faith is ... things not seen." This is not my lesson today! Faith is seen!! In my life, faith was ... promoting a Purpose Driven Life campaign and ending up with 400 people in 33 small groups ... and working nights at the lights when 12 people would show up and now having nights of 4,000. I did not do those things - God did them, and he allowed me to express my faith, engage with him, so that I could see the substance and evidence and therefore be encouraged, strengthened, and joyful.

I see God's action in the midst of faith. I see direct causality. I might hope for certain outcomes, but more importantly I see the manifestation of faith. God is good, all the time!!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise you in my heart, and with my words, and in song and thanksgiving! You are the almighty God, and the loving father. You are the giver of life, and the restorer of the downtrodden. Thank you for your responses to the faith of all your people!! May your name be honored and lifted up in all the world, and in Bothell. Amen, and amen.