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What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. – Hebrews 11:1

 

Can we be sure of something we cannot see? The certainty of faith goes beyond hope. Hope has to do with the future, our eternal reward once this life is over. In contrast, faith has to do with the present. The King James Version of Hebrews 11:1 begins with the phrase “Now faith.” If it’s not now, it’s not faith!

The entire concept of faith rests on being certain of the unseen, because all creation came into existence from things that are not seen (Hebrews 11:3). The fact that something is unseen does not make it unreal. God’s Word operates in the unseen realm, and faith in His Word is what brings those things into the seen realm.

It takes evidence, a piece of objective data in which you place your full confidence, to be certain of something you cannot see. The promises of the Bible must become your evidence and certainty even when your five senses see no tangible reality in the natural world.

Fix your attention on God’s promises until your hope graduates to become faith!

2020-12-31T10:53:30-07:00

. . . Those who are righteous will be long remembered. – Psalm 112:6

People come and go and are remembered for various contributions to society. However, the “huge crowd of witnesses” spoken of in Hebrews 12:1 are remembered for their mighty faith.

Think of the rich heritage recorded in the Scriptures of faith-filled believers. They were great men and women of character, endurance, vision, and accomplishment who “overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice . . . shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. . . .” (Hebrews 11:33-34).

Some were raised from the dead, and others chose death over betraying God, desiring a better resurrection (v. 35). They were unafraid of the saw, the sword, or the shame. They were willing to live in caves, mountains, and deserts and to clothe themselves in sheepskin or goatskin. Their powerful testimonies inspire us all.

Of course, the greatest Hero of faith is Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. His one, solitary life exemplifies a life of the greatest courage in adversity. “He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward” (Hebrews 12:2).

Follow Jesus. Live for Him, and die for Him—and you also will be remembered forever.

2020-11-14T00:00:00-07:00
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