Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
What is reality? How can we know what is real? The present reality that we experience comes to us through imperfect senses such as sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. These senses often lie to us, giving us versions of reality that are incomplete or false. Our minds choose from various versions of our present experience to tell us what’s going on, using past experiences as a broken filter.
These experiences of present reality instantly fade into a space called “the past.” We look back at our past reality with our mind’s eye. This sense too proves imperfect. Distorted versions of the previous present reality linger in our minds as we hold onto the versions of the former present reality that suit us best. We remember ourselves to be stronger than we actually were, others to be harsher than they intended, and God to be whatever we project on Him to support our narrative.
The future reality is even more cantankerous. Based upon our imperfect perspectives on past and present reality, we project a version of the future that falls short of what is real. At times we allow fear to leverage our experiences and the experiences of others to paint a picture of what we insist we will one day see. Other times we find temporary solace in grandiose versions of what could come. Seldom do either versions of reality come to fruition, yet we seldom cease to play these games.
True reality exists in a realm that we cannot see or experience with our five senses. Hebrews 11 points to this other-reality as the author of Hebrews notes that the reality we know and experience birthed from an unseen world by the words of God. What is seen came fourth from what was unseen.* Furthermore, what is came from what was always; meaning, what we experience as reality today, though temporal and fleeting, came from the One who always was, is, and will be. The eternal essence of the One from whom all else flows promises a future of hope for those who believe in Christ.*
How do we access this reality? Faith.
Faith points up toward God and forward toward the future.* Faith gives us certainty of the reality that we cannot see because it either has not come to us from the future to the present, or because it operates in a spiritual reality other than the one we experience with our five senses.*
Stedman says,
Faith in God’s revelation is a way of grasping reality, without necessarily comprehending all the steps that may be involved.
Faith is not merely a human virtue owned by humanity.* No, it is the vehicle by which God delivers intervention to humanity.* Faith has no power but that it is placed in the One who has power.* Faith does not change anything at all, but it creates space for the One who can change everything to move and work in our present reality.* Faith isn’t unbridled, randomized, desire-driven grasping; it is forward-looking confidence tethered to a present spiritual reality.*
R. T. France tells us,
faith is being sure that what is hoped for will in fact take place, that however discouraging present appearances may be, there is a solid reality underlying them—the reality of God’s utterly reliable promises. Faith, in other words, relies on what God has said and acts on the basis of this firm hope, even when circumstances are against it.
Guthrie shares,
Some realities are unseen because they belong to the spiritual realm and some because they lie in the future, when that realm will break into the earthly sphere. In either case, the person of faith lives out a bold confidence in God’s greater realities… Faith is what looks at that created order and has a firm and resolute confidence in the God to whom it bears witness, who, though unseen, has provided a foundation for such a confidence through his mighty acts.
It is faith that allows the believer to move ahead despite great obstacles. It is faith that the author of Hebrews desires all readers of Hebrews to have above all else.*
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember that a greater reality exists than the one you are now experiencing. Perhaps God wants you to stand on His promises with a renewed faith in Him and His words. Maybe today God wants you continue to persevere through obstacles, trusting that the future is His to hold. Perhaps today God wants to restore your confidence in Him.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 11:1–3). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 535–543). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 147–148). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (pp. 374–375). Zondervan Publishing House.