Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Up until the death and resurrection of Jesus, faith had been built upon tradition and practice of things passed down from generation to generation. Yes there was written word, The Law and places of worship, but these are the things of religion, not necessarily faith. This book was written to encourage and strengthen the Jewish Christians for a world that would be hard, cold, frightening and confusing. They thought Jerusalem was about to become the capital of the universe. Instead it would be wiped off the map.
Human nature is to seek tangible, solid, physical evidence. This is how we move from place to place, seek and find earthly justice, and stay alive. It is the substance of the visible world and validates the need for logical and rational understandings. But faith extends beyond the physical.
Assurance in the things we do not see, feel, or hear, is a simple willingness to trust, rely and cling to all things Godly and good. Faith does not contradict reason, it goes beyond it. Without faith we cannot please God and we have no hope. Faith is the only means to survive the tomorrows we can’t see. It isn’t optimism, it’s the right choice.
Love,
Gretchen