“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Sometimes, when we say, “I have faith,” what we really mean is, “I wish [something] would happen.” We’re trying to think positively about the things to come. This is when faith starts to feel like optimism at best and empty dreaming at worst.
The kind of faith that Jesus and biblical authors taught about, however, is much deeper than a wish. In fact, the biblical word for “faith” is “pistis,” and it can be defined as, “belief, trust, confidence, faithfulness, divine persuasion.”
Truly, there is nothing wishful about faith at all. Rather, it is a reasonable belief based in a faithful and trusting relationship with the Creator of the Universe who has been spending all of history persuading us with love.
Read the remainder of Hebrews 11. See all the examples the author uses to persuade the reader that God can be trusted due to a long history of faithfulness.
Is your faith feeling weak these days? Perhaps, it’s time to stop wishing. Instead, remember God’s record that produces trust in him.
Questions for reflection:
- What stands out most for you as you read Hebrews 11?
- How have you best experienced faithfulness?
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
