Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for. Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.
Hebrews 11:1 – 3 The Passion Translation
Reading Hebrews, I am struck by the clear connection made between God’s Word, faith and hope. In fact, chapter 4 verse 3 says that “faith activates the promise” so that we can “experience the realm of confident rest.” After listing the powerful examples of faith in Hebrews 11, it goes on to describe how they stood by their faith. It says that their faith “fastened onto their promises and pulled them into reality” (v33); “sparked courage” (v34); enabled them to endure great atrocities” (v35) and most importantly, it allowed them to “live in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised to them” (v39).
Because these heroes saw God’s words through eyes of faith, their actions of faith, and the hope they carried because of it, could play a part in pulling God’s ultimate promise into reality. And again the promise of salvation can only be obtained by faith. And it can only be passed on by faith. For without faith, how will we be an example that sparks faith in others? How will we be courageous, how will we endure and how will we live in the hope we profess?
So do not lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward! You need the strength of endurance to reveal the poetry of God’s will and then you receive the promise in full.
Hebrews 10: 35 – 36 The Passion Translation
There is beautiful poetry in the fact that we don’t believe because we see, but see because we believe. This is written in the present tense specifically: We don’t believe and only see it realised one day. We see it now, in faith – that is true hope. We live in the hope that the blood of Jesus cleansed us of all sins and we are “fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him” (Heb 10:21). Thus, even though we eagerly await Jesus’s return, we have already entered the “the realm of confident rest”. This makes us true witnesses of his love for everyone. Anyone who will look at his words with eyes of faith will receive his salvation. But in Corinthians 13, Paul adds another vital ingredient – faith, hope and… LOVE. Faith and hope also inspires us to love as He loves.
We will show mercy to the poor and not miss an opportunity to do acts of kindness for others, for these are the true sacrifices that delight God’s hearts.
Hebrews 13: 16 The Passion Translation
Those who cannot see God’s words with faith yet, will read it in the love we show them. As those in the old testament made animal sacrifices in faith to obtain forgiveness for their sins, so we must take every opportunity to make sacrifices of love because we have faith that God calls us and wants to bring everyone home to him.
For hasn’t he promised you, “I will never leave you alone, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life!”
Hebrews 13: 5 The Passion Translation
More that the fact that Jesus will be waiting for you one day when you finish the race, he is with you now as you share his promises and he promises that if you “keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed!” (Heb 12:12).
When all hope is gone and Your word is all I’ve got, I have to believe You still bring water from the rock to satisfy my thirst, to love me at my worst and even when I don’t remember, You remind me of my worth.
Spirit Lead Me
Songwriter: Gabriel Wilson
Words for Life 