The Substance of Hope

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not [yet] seen.” {Hebrews 11:1}

Faith, is a word used a lot in the bible, and like most familiar words in scripture we have a general sense of its meaning from biblical context and our understanding of how it’s used in the world around us, and this typically satisfies our mind that we know what it means. So, if you’re like the majority of people, you’ve probably never thought much about what it is or what it means when God inspired its use in the bible and for that reason I’d like to explore this word and its principal a little more with you.

Believe

1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so:

Belief

1. confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof:

Faith

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing:
2. belief that is not based on proof:

Above I have listed a few definitions courtesy of Dictionary.com of the common understanding of these related words in the English language. In other words, the practical definitions, not the biblical ones. As you can see the commonality in these definitions is the idea of accepting a truth as fact without proof to substantiate one’s belief. I point this out because Hebrews 11:1 defines faith a little differently and the difference is so important it changes everything. It clearly distinguishes between the world’s system of belief from God’s call to the supernatural walk of faith and that distinction determines the context for all the rest of the occurrences of faith seen in scripture.

Before we expand on the use of the word faith in the verse above, we must also understand the use of hope as it pertains to God. In the secular use of hope, we typically understand it within the context of something that may or may not happen, as in wishing upon a star or a Hail Mary pass in football that we “hope” the receiver catches. It’s in the sense of, “if this occurs, maybe what I want will happen.” Biblical hope, however, rests on the promises and faithfulness of God and therefore the “if, then maybe” becomes a “He said and He will.” Therefore, in the biblical context, hope is a confident expectation of God fulfilling His word.

With hope now being defined as confident expectation, this impacts the definition of faith as it’s used in the bible. Faith, in this context, means to have the conviction, that is, the confident reliance that the truth believed is true, but not because one has corroborating evidence, but because God is true. As the scripture says, “let God be [found] true but every man a liar.” This is the foundation of everything! The scripture, the walk of faith, everything is founded on God’s existence and the reliability or His faithful character. Now, let’s revisit Hebrews 11:1 and rewrite it with the context of this new understanding.

“Now, our conviction that God is true, is the validation that our confident expectations in Him are certain, and the proof of things we have not yet seen, experienced. or received.” {JCP}

What a declaration! This is the bedrock that our relationship with the Father should be founded upon. I say should because many struggle still because they haven’t settled this in their heart as irrefutable. However, this is the means by which God accomplished all He did through His Son, Jesus. This is the source of power of the Holy Spirit. God’s character is unchanging, His promises sure. God is one, unified in heart, soul, word, and deed. God. Is. True. All of creation exists and rests upon this truth.

I must add here that in light of this, biblical faith isn’t merely an idea held in the mind, but a principle lived by, and acted upon. Everything we think, do, or say is filtered through and founded upon it. Because we believe, we walk in that belief. The bible says 365 times, “Do not fear.” Why? Because faith says, I trust in God. Faith says, what happens, happens but God remains the same. Faith says, if God promised it, it will be done. Faith says, even should I be thrown into the furnace, my confidence is in God alone. Faith says, “Though my flesh and my heart fail; yet God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” The substance of our hope is faith and if our conviction is that God is true, what have we to fear? Amen? Amen. So let’s move forward in boldness and step out in faith, and I am certain we will see the mountains move!