Hebrews 11:1
Dive Deeper
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Behind the Scenes
Over the past six weeks, we have spent our mornings looking at various facets of confidence – places in our lives where we want to surrender our self-confidence to embrace Godly confidence. This week, we are finishing up our series with a pinnacle attribute of confidence – faith.
In today’s verse, the word faith stems from the root of the Greek word peithó which means to persuade or to have confidence (sound familiar?). Our modern-day definitions of faith echo a similar meaning: confidence or trust in a person or thing. Faith requires trust and confidence in something that cannot be physically and tangibly proven or experienced – it requires the belief in something that is not seen.
We see this idea of putting confidence in something that is intangible throughout the New Testament. I love the way the author at Got Questions unpacks what Hebrews means by “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction (or in some translations the “evidence”) of things not seen”:
“In Romans 8:23 Paul illustrates a principle of hope in that we wait eagerly for the redemption of our body—something we don’t currently see as a reality. He adds that in hope we have been saved and that hope that is seen is not hope—for if it were seen, then there is no more need for hope because what we were hoping for would be reality (Romans 8:24). Because we don’t yet see it, it remains hope, and we wait eagerly with perseverance to see it (Romans 8:25). Similarly, Paul suggests that we can endure momentary light affliction because of the weight of glory it produces in us (2 Corinthians 4:17). Anticipating that future result, we are looking at things that are not currently seen because the things that are not seen are future things—eternal things, in this case (2 Corinthians 4:18).”
“Working from the same essential principle, the writer of Hebrews reminds readers that faith is ‘the evidence of things not seen’ (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV). The term translated ‘evidence’ is the Greek word elengchos, which often refers to an argument or a case being made. Faith is an argument for that which is not yet seen. Of course, faith doesn’t prove something that is not yet seen—only the One who made the promise can prove the promise by fulfilling it. Faith, though, is the certainty of something that one does not see and an argument for its validity.”
I love that! “Only the One who made the promise can prove the promise by fulfilling it.” The Bible is packed full of promises made to you and me – promises of salvation (Romans 1:16-17), spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), unfailing love (Isaiah 54:10), peace (Philippians 4:6-7), provision (Philippians 4:19), and so much more.
Make it Real
I don’t know about you, but I see the fulfillment of these promises in my life every day. When my family sits down to eat the salmon that we caught fishing last week, my faith in God’s provision is renewed. When I told God that I was angry at Him because He changed my ten-year plan unexpectedly, His promise of Salvation and unfailing love reminded me that I was forgiven despite the hardness that temporarily lodged in my heart. When I daily get frustrated with my toddler who tests my limits, I see God’s provision of peace that surpasses all understanding to sustain me in the grind of child-rearing.
How is God fulfilling His promises in your life? Sometimes it’s not immediately recognizable. Some of us face daily trials or experienced a past trauma that can make it difficult to see God’s promises fulfilled in our lives, and it can shake the foundation of our faith and God-confidence.
Whether God’s faithfulness is easy to identify or jaded by current or past experiences, I encourage you to sit down today and list out the promises of God found in the Bible. You can use the list provided as a starting point, but there are many more promises that can be added to it. As you go about your day, see if the happenings around you align with any of the promises on your list. I can almost guarantee that you will find at least ONE promise fulfilled by God. Allow that fulfilled promise to restore and renew your faith in God, building your God-fidence today!
Kristen Krimmel
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Father, thank you for Your promises to provide for, sustain, love, and redeem my sinful self. Thank you that I can put my faith and hope in you with confidence. As I go throughout my day and week, help me to recognize your promises fulfilled in my life and allow it to grow my faith exponentially. I love you Lord, Amen.