Bible Studies

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The Triumphs of Faith
Wednesday- November 16, 2005, †

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3 NASB
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the men of old gained approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.


Meditation:
How do you describe faith? The author of the Book of Hebrews defines faith using two words; the first word is “assurance” - which we can also substitute with words like “sure” “promise” or “guarantee”. The second word the author defines faith with is “conviction”- which again we can also substitute with “certainty” or absoluteness”. In fact if we were to look up a different translation of Hebrews 11:1-3 we might find such words in its place. The point is if faith can be defined by this manner then, it is not a concept that is vague or abstract requiring some blind leap to understand the fabrics of it. In the same way, faith is also not without defining key elements to form its foundation and structure so that when the storms of life comes there is actually something real for you to hold onto, or to introduce another into our faith.

Contrary to being abstract, faith can be regarded as a reliable and dependable force that dwells at the center of our being. It can remain steadfast when the trials of life return again when all our other wells of spiritual strength run dry. When a heart shines of faith it is giving a response to a trust and belief in someone or something. It does not matter if we see this truth with our very own eyes or not because we are beyond the point of wonder. That is how powerful the strength of faith and belief can be. We have committed our faith and that means we have also committed our trust. In our everyday world we depend on technologies like the internet to communicate with one another. Although we never see the actual mails being picked up and sent off, we are trust that it is done and we expect to see our correspondence in return the next time.

Faith in God works in a similar way. When God reveals Himself to us He gives us the "assurance" and "conviction" that His power, presence and glory are more real than any of our experiences with the natural physical world around us. Though things around us change, God never changes. He is constant, ever true to His word, and always faithful to His promises. That is why we can have the greatest assurance of His unconditional love for us and why we can hope with utter conviction that He will give us everything He has promised. Jesus is God's visible proof that His word is reliable and true; His love is unfailing and unconditional; and His power is immeasurably great and unlimited. So as God is ever constant, let us then be inspired by Him and keep constant faith in the Lord. ~~Jesus once told a Samaritan woman that He holds the well of living water which never runs dry. Thus, if we keep vigilant faith and belief in Him perhaps the well of our faith and strength too will never run dry. As we allow our understanding, love, and faith in the Lord to become our spiritual pillars in life, we also allow Christ to become our source of strength and hope, truth and trust and it is at this moment that Jesus usually says to the afflicted when they cry out to Him, “it is your faith has made you well,” (Luke 17:19, Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52). (Matthew 15:21-28, 21, Matthew 9:27-31 27)


Prayer:
“Lord, I believe in Your healing powers and I believe in You. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit let me always be faith-full to that believe. Let the well of my faith never run dry, or my hope for salvation ever hang on trust’s a thin thread. Make my faith in You my life’s pillar so You may say – “it was your faith that healed you.”

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