Stepping Back Into Hebrews

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

A little over three months ago, I felt like I should take a break from Hebrews.  I was facing the 11^th chapter – the hallmark chapter on faith.  I stopped up short.  This chapter is a heavyweight.

When I stepped away from it, little did I know how intimately I would come to know the first two verses of this chapter.  For the entire summer, I have had Hebrews 11:1-2 on my desktop.  It is stunning the way it is paraphrased in THE MESSAGE.

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

This literally took my breath away and each day it’s challenged me to ask myself if this is true in my heart.  No matter what I’m facing, is my faith strong enough to be assured of things I cannot see?  Am I rock solid and confident in my Hope?

Faith is not blind ~ even though it is up against what is unseen.  The reason any child of God can have seeing eyes is because of the worthy foundation supporting the promise.  It is God-Himself.  This assurance is talked about in Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Faith is built on the validity and power of the One who holds up the universe.  He doesn’t hold up just the earth, which in and of itself would qualify Him, but the deep heavens.  Since it is this God who has promised it, who asks me to trust Him, how could my faith ever be misplaced?  His power is uncontested, and He always uses it within the parameters of wisdom and sovereignty.  His Word stands.  He never changes it.  His Truth is always His Truth no matter the time in history and no matter the age and spiritual condition of the one who pursues it.

Let me speak personally.  I have faith in a God who is not taken by surprise by the worst of news.  I have faith in a God who already knows how to make something beautiful out of what has been made ugly by the Fall.  I have faith in a God who redeems all things for His children.  Even more than that, I have faith in a God who restores every single loss ~ if not here, then in the world to come.  I cannot lose what God will not give back in perfection.

There is no Redeemer and no Restorer other than You.  I declare my faith again, out loud, with praise.  Amen