First read through Hebrews 11:1-7, and then read verse one again: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for"—this defines what constitutes the things hoped for. "The evidence of things not seen"—this defines what constitutes the things not seen.
Think of it this way: bricks are the substance of walls hoped for, they are the items which define what a wall is made of.
We need bricks to produce walls in the same way as we need faith to produce the things we hope for. But, what is the substance of a brick? And what is the substance of faith?
We know what bricks are made of, so now let's look at verses four, five, and seven of Hebrews chapter 11 and let see what the Word says about the patriarchs mentioned there.
Verse four shows that Abel pleased God with his sacrifice, his best. Abel walked with God, as his Father Adam did. Verse five tells us that Enoch pleased God and Enoch walked with God (see Gen. 5:24). And verse seven says Noah pleased God with his obedience and Noah walked with God (see Gen. 6:9).
Pleasing God involves walking with Him, having fellowship with Him. Faith involves pleasing Him. Verse six of Hebrews 11 is the key to understanding the definition of faith.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."Without faith it is impossible to please God for…."
A quick English language lesson here, we need to know why the word for (or because) is used in this instance. It determines that everything written before "for" is because of what is written after "for."
This is a basic definition of faith, what constitutes faith, what is the substance of faith:
- To come to God. The word cometh in the Greek implies to approach as a worshipper.
- To believe that He is, not just that He can do.
- To believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him personally, not diligently seek what He can do for them.
When we are intimate with Him, He will give us everything we need. The child who crawls up into Daddy's lap and loves on Him before asking him for something is far more likely to receive than the child who shouts the request from the other side of the room.
Let us further refine our definition of faith based upon Hebrews 11:6. The substance of faith is:
• Coming to the Father as a worshipper
• Believing He is all that the Bible says He is
• Diligently seeking Him personally and believing that He is a rewarder
We can see this principle elsewhere in the Word. Psalm 105:1-5 encourages us by saying:
O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.Thank Him, sing to Him, seek The Lord, seek His face, talk about His deeds; remember His wondrous works and He will reward you.
What about when the enemy attacks and Satan is looking to devour us? Read 1 Peter 5:6-9.
Whom resist steadfast in: Coming to Father as a worshipper, believing He is all the Bible says He is, diligently seeking Him personally, and believing that He rewards that.Safe in Daddy's loving arms, secure in the knowledge that He will always look after us.
Let's begin to see ourselves through the eyes of our heavenly Father, not through the eyes of our carnal nature.
It's all about being there and seeing everything from a new perspective…His.
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In 1982 Stephen Wood was a heathen, in a rocky marriage to Janet who was agoraphobic at the time. Janet had given her heart to Jesus as a child but was never taught to read the Word to promote growth. Janet did know enough to cry out to God for their marriage.
