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"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6, NIV). Let us consider what the Word of God says about faith, the very substance that bridges our finite understanding with the infinite realm of God's promises. Faith is not a mere abstract concept; it is a spiritual force that transforms our relationship with God and our perception of reality.
Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the "faith chapter" or the "hall of faith." Here, the writer addresses a community of Hebrew believers who were experiencing persecution and were tempted to abandon their newfound faith in Christ. The author seeks to encourage them by recounting the testimonies of ancient believers who, through faith, gained God's approval and inherited His promises.
The passage begins by defining faith in terms that are both compelling and comprehensive. These early believers are given exemplars from their own historical narrative—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and others—demonstrating that faith has always been the necessary condition for a right relationship with God. As the community faced trials, the writer steers them toward an understanding that faith is the essence by which we apprehend the reality of God's promises and His creation.
In our exploration, two Greek words demand particular attention: "πιστις" (pistis) and "υποστασις" (hypostasis).
The lyrics echo key themes from Hebrews 11, integrating profound biblical truths into a melody that stirs faith within the believer:
### Stanza 1
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
Here, the foundation is laid. To please God requires more than ritual or formality; it demands a faith that acknowledges His sovereign existence and His responsive nature. Scripture confirms this in Romans 14:23, stating that "whatever is not from faith is sin." This emphasizes that faith is central to our fellowship with God.
### Stanza 2
"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
A profound affirmation of Genesis 1:1, which declares God as the Creator orchestrating visible creation from the invisible Word ("בראשית" - "B'reshit," meaning "In the beginning"). Here, faith takes us beyond empirical observation into the affirmation of divine revelation—God's spoken Word brought forth the cosmos.
### Stanza 3
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."
Faith, then, is the bedrock of hope and the lens through which we perceive the invisible realities of God's kingdom. The ancients, from Abraham to Moses, were sanctified by this very faith, illustrating a life lived under the authority of God's promises.
### Stanza 4
"Come to Him believing He is real and He is good—He rewards the heart that seeks Him."
This verse encapsulates the essence of Hebrews 11:6. Our pursuit of God stems from a recognition of His goodness and the certainty of His reward for those who earnestly seek Him. This is mirrored in Matthew 7:7-8, which assures us that those who ask, seek, and knock will find the Father's gracious response.
1. Believe in God's Existence and Goodness: Comprehend that God's existence is not only a theological assertion but a relational truth. Approach Him with a heart full of trust in His goodness, knowing He is a rewarder of those who pursue Him.
2. Embrace the Reality of Faith: Cultivate faith as the hypostasis—the essence and substance of your hope. Declare scriptures over your life that reaffirm God's promises and let them form the foundation of your expectations.
3. Understand Creation through Revelation: Align your worldview with the biblical narrative of creation. Study Genesis through the lens of faith, acknowledging God's supreme authority behind all things.
4. Act in Faith: Remember that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Let your decisions and actions reflect a heart that is fully persuaded of God's promises, living a life characterized by obedience and submission to His will.
Proclamation:
"I stand, firmly rooted in faith, fully persuaded of God's existence and His goodness. I declare that my life is founded upon the substance of His promises. I believe that by faith, the universe was formed, and I receive the unseen realities of His kingdom made manifest in my life today."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to live by faith, not by sight. Strengthen my heart to seek You diligently, believing in Your goodness and your reward. Open the eyes of my understanding to perceive Your truth, and empower me to walk confidently in the assurance of Your Word. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
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