FAITH: WHERE HOPE TAKES THE LEAP

“Now faith is the substance of hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

Hope begins in the heart, and faith takes the necessary action. Hope creates longing, and faith acts upon it. Faith is hope in motion. Faith is hope’s substance.

With hope, you are not always sure how it is going to end, but with faith, you take the leap between what you know that you can see, and what you believe that you cannot see.

Faith is the proof that what you cannot see actually exists. It is the evidence.  Yet, you cannot see it, so it takes faith to believe it. Faith is risky, but something in our heart longs to believe it. That longing is hope.

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)

First, we must believe (have faith) that God exists. Then, we must believe that He will answer those who seek Him. He wants to give us a reward.

Abraham believed in this God. He believed in the God who “gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as those they did” and even though Abraham “contrary to hope, in hope believed…” And Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but he was strengthened in faith…”(Rom. 4:17-20).

Abraham’s faith and hope were working together to believe in the promises of God.

This is what we desire. We want hope to keep our heart longing, and faith to take the leap and believe. But the thing that hinders faith and hope from believing in the promises is a disappointed heart.

However, even a disappointed heart can reach out and believe that what God’s word says is true. David said, “ I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.” (Psalm 27:13-14)

Even in the midst of a disappointed heart, we must still believe that God exists. We must believe in His goodness. We must believe in His leadership. We must believe in His Word. If we dare to believe that His promises are true, He will come and strengthen our heart to hope.