Notes of Faith June 25, 2024

Sure and Certain

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1, NIV 1984

The disciple Thomas had a hard time believing that Jesus had risen from the dead. But when Thomas saw Jesus, he believed. Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

We could wonder if the story of Thomas—and Jesus’ words to him—influenced the words of Hebrews 11:1 where faith is defined as being “sure” and “certain” of what we have not seen with our natural eyes. Hebrews 11 is a record of many people who believed God before they ever saw the fulfillment of His promise. Another translation states it this way: “Faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses” (Hebrews 11:1, AMPC). What is the source of this kind of faith? Romans 10:17 says that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” God’s faithfulness to His Word is the foundational evidence for our faith.

Faith begins with the promises of God. If you are hoping for something you cannot yet see, strengthen your faith by standing on the Word of God.

Faith rests on the naked Word of God; that Word believed gives full assurance.

H. A. Ironside

“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” Though that is a lyric from a great hymn, it is nonetheless truth. The gift of faith that God gives is our sure and certain hope in the truth of God Himself!

Eph 2:8-9

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Pastor Dale