Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The scripture provides not only a definition, but a description of how faith works. Steadfast faith never gives up; it remains steady regardless of the circumstances or the length of time one waits. Faith is an established conviction concerning things unseen and a settled expectation of a future reward.

The word substance used in the technical sense here means "the title deed." Thus faith is the title deed of the things you hope for and want to see changed. Throughout the chapter, the writer emphasizes that assurance rests on God's unfailing promises. Faith is attained, not because of our achievements, personal holiness, or passive acceptance of divine promises, but by an active certainty expressed in obedience, persistence, sacrifice, and trust.

Even in difficult times as we are facing today, when the whole world seems to be in trouble, while we are seeing radical change in our government — change that this country has never seen in its history, God can still bring you through in triumph.  He can do for you what He did for the Israelites when darkness covered the nation of Egypt where they lived. Exodus 10 says that the darkness was so thick the Egyptians couldn't see each other or even move for three days, but "all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." Why? Because they kept their faith strong in God and trusted Him.

In a dark and often frightening world, you can have God's protection and provision, even when there may be danger and lack all around you. God honors those who put their trust and faith in Him. It is the thing that creates miracles. However, you cannot do it by living in an attitude of defeat. You must develop faith and persevere even when times are tough. We must remember that God is still alive, He is still in control, and He still has all of us in His focus.

The good news is that none of us can escape the all-seeing eye of God. He always knows what we are facing and where we are.

The Apostle Paul gives us some powerful insight into how to cultivate a spirit of faith. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "We, having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

This passage is telling us to not be overcome with what we see, hear and read concerning the economy because they are temporal and are subject to change. Our faith in God looks to the things that are eternal and have an infinite duration.

Strong faith will focus on the answer, not on the problem. It looks not at the difficulty our nation may be facing, but at the things that are not seen, the things we want to see changed by faith and confidence in God. This is not to say we ignore the problems or close our eyes as if they aren't real, because they are real. But according to God's Word they are temporal, which means subject to change.

A good example is the life of Abraham. Romans 4:18-21 says that he “against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, and being fully persuaded that, what God had promised, he would perform.”

Fear is the opposite of faith and is designed to bring you worry, confusion, and torment. Since like attracts like, see yourself as a magnet. If you think on the worry and confusion, that's probably what you will have, but if you focus on God's promises of peace and provision, that's what you are more likely to receive.

Dr. John Demartini said, "Whatever you think about and keep on thinking about, will come about."

God bless     

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