by Rex Rouis
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understood that the worlds were formed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb.11:1-3).
The expression “of things HOPED FOR” (Hebrews 11:1) lets us know that there are things that can be hoped for and things that can not. First, let us understand the difference between a desire and a hope. We may have a desire for many things, but a hope requires a plausible foundation or reason for its possibility. The question arises, “Upon what FOUNDATION are you basing your hope”? We may hope for many things but if our hope is not based on a foundation then it becomes mere wishful thinking.
A student that desires better grades but never studies has no basis or foundation for hope. A man who sincerely needs a good job but will not do all that he can to look for one has no grounds to hope. I may wish that I was 6′-11″ and could play for the NBA but that will never happen. That is a dream and will never become a true hope. Desires and dreams can remain without a foundation. A hope must have a foundation, a plausible reason one can expect it to happen, for it to become a true expectation.
Our hopes are based on the promises in the Bible. If he promised it, then there is a potential for us to receive it. The fulfillment of the desire, if promised in the Bible can now become a legitimate hope. Not a natural hope but a God hope. And once faith comes, that hope no longer remains a future expectation, but now becomes a future reality. Faith is the God-given ownership of ‘things hoped for and the evidence of thing not (yet) seen.’
Our hope, as well as the hope of others, depends upon what our hope is based upon! Our God hopes all rest upon, “how faithful is God to His promises!” Two points to consider: 1. If there be no God, or 2. If His promise is not true; then we would have no foundation whatever for our hope. Our hope would be groundless. As far as our eternity is concerned, it all hinges upon the fact that God exists and He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The only foundation for our hopes is the faithfulness of God as expressed in the promises of God.
Some of the above was taken from Oscar Baker’s What is Faith? Part1 and Part2
Comments
I understood that marriage was always God’s will and plan for men and women from the begining as he demonstrated by the account of Adam and Eve included in the Bible. He even created the human sexual desire and need for human connection in us
so we would seek marriage to fulfill his commands. I fully understand that persons can reject it by exercising their free will and use extreme self control to avoid giving in to sexual temptation as Paul did. Should we expect that God will be involved in some way to help bring it about and we should have faith as you defined it
that this will happen?
Thank you for make this useful for practical application I hope for complete healing and restoration from my stroke
Olivia – I agree with you in Jesus Name. Keep studying the scriptures so you know what is yours in Christ, and what you can believe for, which is complete healing by faith. Rex
Just recently came across your website, it is such a blessing.
Jesus said to Peter, “Upon this Rock, I will build My Church”. Peter had just received the revelation, Rhema, faith to know who Jesus is.
On this basis Faith (or Jesus) is the Rock or foundation that hope is built on. Hope flows out of Faith.
When that Faith comes (by hearing & is accepted or received), it becomes the guarantee that the thing promised WILL come to pass!
The period of time between receiving Faith & the thing promised is called HOPE (true Biblical HOPE that cannot fail!)
I love this saying of Pauls, “Christ in you the HOPE of Glory”.
When we receive Christ, through Faith by the Grace of God, we walk in the Hope of our ultimate Glory, in Heaven with Jesus-This is guaranteed.
I forgot to mention, that I also enjoyed your article about faith & coffee:)
David – Thank you for your gracious comments. I have my cup of coffee at my side. And encouragement in my heart. Thank you.
Wow! Just found your site this a.m. What an amazing source of hope, faith, inspiration. Thank you for all the work it took and takes to do this. Abundant blessings be to you from our Father.