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“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
— Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Let us look at what the Word of God says. The central theme in these lyrics is faith—what it is, how it operates, and how the righteous are called to live by it. This is not a casual subject. According to Scripture:
> “And without faith it is impossible to please Him.”
> — Hebrews 11:6
Faith is the condition for pleasing God, for receiving His promises, for enduring in the race of life, and for living righteously in a fallen world. The song stitches together several key passages:
Together they show us faith as a rock, a solid ground on which the believer stands and walks.
### Hebrews 11–12: Faith in the Midst of Pressure
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish believers in Jesus who were under intense pressure—social, religious, and possibly political—to turn back from Christ and return to the old system of the Law and temple rituals. They had started well, but they were in danger of drifting (Hebrews 2:1) and falling away (Hebrews 6:4–6).
The writer (most likely not identified, but fully inspired by the Holy Spirit) presents Jesus as:
Hebrews 11 comes after repeated warnings not to turn back. It functions as a gallery of faith—a “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1)—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and others, who all endured by faith, not by sight, not by comfort, not by external approval.
Then Hebrews 12:1–2 takes all these examples and applies them:
Because you have this great cloud of witnesses, run your race with endurance, and do it by looking unto Jesus.
### Habakkuk 2:4: Faith in Days of Judgment
Habakkuk prophesied in a time of violence, injustice, and looming Babylonian invasion. He questions God about the wickedness in Judah and the threat from a more wicked nation. God’s answer includes this key statement:
> “The righteous shall live by his faith.”
> — Habakkuk 2:4b (ESV)
This verse is so central that the New Testament quotes it three times (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). In days of shaking, when external systems collapse, the righteous survive, stand, and advance by faith—not by sight, not by political security, not by economic stability.
### Psalm 37:3: Faith in a Wicked World
Psalm 37 is David’s instruction to believers surrounded by evildoers who seem to prosper. He contrasts short-term success of the wicked with the long-term stability of the righteous. The key verse used in the lyrics:
> “Trust in the LORD, and do good;
> dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”
> — Psalm 37:3 (ESV)
The Psalm calls believers away from envy and fear, into practical, daily faith: trust, obedience, stability, and faithfulness, even when wickedness seems to have the upper hand.
So the combined context is this: persecution, pressure, injustice, and uncertainty—and in all this, the Holy Spirit points us to faith as the only secure way to live.
Let us focus on two central words: faith and assurance.
### 1) “Faith” – *pistis* (Greek) / *’emunah* (Hebrew)
The word for “faith” is πίστις (pistis).
It means:
Faith in the New Testament is not a vague feeling. It is a relational reliance—a settled trust in the character, promises, and work of God, especially revealed in Jesus Christ.
The word for “faith” or “faithfulness” is אֱמוּנָה (*’emunah*).
It carries the idea of:
So when we say, “The righteous shall live by faith,” we are not speaking merely of mental agreement with doctrine. We are speaking of a steady, loyal, enduring trust in the Lord that expresses itself in a steadfast life.
This already points us to the “race” language of Hebrews 12: faith is not a momentary emotion; it is a continuous walk of loyalty and reliance.
### 2) “Assurance” – *hypostasis* (Greek)
Hebrews 11:1 says:
> “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for…”
The word translated “assurance” is ὑπόστασις (*hypostasis*). It is a compound word:
It literally means a substructure, a foundation, a substantive reality. It was used in legal and commercial contexts for a title deed—a guaranteed claim to something not yet seen in full.
So we can say:
This transforms our understanding of the lyric:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for.”
Faith is not wishful thinking; it is the God-given conviction that what God has promised is already real and already ours in His realm, though not yet fully manifested in ours.
We will walk through the themes of the lyrics, phrase by phrase, and see how Scripture interprets Scripture.
### Verse 1: “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.”
This verse quotes Hebrews 11:1–2. Two major truths stand out.
#### a) Faith Grabs Hold of the Unseen
Faith operates in the realm of what is not seen:
> “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
> — 2 Corinthians 5:7
The visible world is temporary; the unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Faith does not deny physical reality, but it prioritizes spiritual reality. It takes God at His Word even when circumstances disagree.
#### b) God Commends Faith
“For by it, the people of old received their commendation.”
The word for “commendation” points to God’s approval or affirmation. Think of Abel, whose offering God accepted by faith (Hebrews 11:4). Think of Enoch, who “received the commendation that he had pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
This is critical:
God does not commend us for religious activity alone, nor for natural ability, nor for external success. He commends faith.
> “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
> — Romans 14:23b
Faith is the only ground on which a believer can stand accepted and pleasing to God.
### Chorus: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight.”
Here the lyrics move from definition (Hebrews 11:1) to exhortation (Hebrews 12:1).
#### a) The Cloud of Witnesses
“Witnesses” (Greek martys) does not merely mean spectators. It includes the idea of those who testify by their lives and often by their deaths. The “cloud” of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1 is the entire list in Hebrews 11.
Their lives are a testimony that:
When we feel alone, misunderstood, or weak, Scripture points us to this “cloud.” We are not the first to walk this road. Faith has a history. Faith has a lineage.
#### b) Lay Aside Every Weight
Notice the word: weight. Not necessarily sin (though sin is included), but anything that slows or hinders the race. The verse continues:
> “let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely…”
> — Hebrews 12:1
Weights can be:
A runner does not run in heavy clothing or unnecessary burdens. Likewise, a believer who wants to run well must make deliberate decisions: What must I lay aside to run my race effectively?
Faith does not only receive; faith also renounces.
### Verse 2: “And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
This amplifies Hebrews 12:1–2.
#### a) The Race Set Before Us
There is a race marked out by God. It is not random. Your life in Christ is not an accident. God has a specific course for you:
> “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
> — Ephesians 2:10
Faith says: “I accept God’s course for my life, whether easy or hard, seen or unseen, noticed or hidden.”
The key word is endurance (Greek *hypomonē*). Faith is proved not in a moment but over time, in the capacity to remain under pressure without giving up.
#### b) Looking to Jesus
“Looking to Jesus” in Hebrews 12:2 is a strong verb: to look away from all else and fix one’s gaze upon Him. Faith is not self-focused: “Do I have enough faith?” Faith is Christ-focused: “Who is Jesus? What has He done? What does He promise?”
Jesus is:
Faith starts with Jesus and ends with Jesus. He is the Rock underneath our faith. We do not work faith up from within ourselves; we look away from ourselves and fix our eyes on Him.
### Bridge: “The righteous shall live by faith. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”
Here the lyrics bring together Habakkuk 2:4 and Psalm 37:3.
#### a) The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
This phrase is programmatic for the whole New Testament teaching on justification.
Paul uses it:
Hebrews uses it in 10:38 to call believers to perseverance, not shrinking back. So “the righteous shall live by faith” has three dimensions:
1. Entrance – We are justified (declared righteous) by faith, not by works (Romans 5:1).
2. Continuation – We go on living, walking, and enduring by faith.
3. Survival in crisis – In days of judgment and shaking, faith is the lifeline.
The opposite is also true:
Where faith is absent, spiritual life withers. Religious forms may remain, but the living connection to God is lost.
#### b) Trust in the LORD and Do Good
Psalm 37:3 holds a powerful balance: trust and doing.
Faith that does not lead to action is not biblical faith:
> “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
> — James 2:17
Faith is internal trust that produces external obedience. “Do good” means align your actions with God’s character and Word even when society rewards the opposite.
#### c) Dwell in the Land and Befriend Faithfulness
This line speaks of stability and constancy.
Faith is not a one-time crisis decision; it is a lifestyle of faithful, consistent, steady obedience to God in the ordinary routines of life.
### Repeated Chorus: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight.”
The repetition underlines a central, practical demand of faith: renunciation.
Faith is not just holding on to God; it is also letting go of everything that drags me away from Him.
### Outro: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for.”
The song ends where it began. Faith is the solid ground of Christian hope.
Hope, in Scripture, is not wishful thinking. It is confident expectation of future good, based on the promises and character of God. Faith gives that hope substance, reality, and present assurance.
> “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
> — Hebrews 10:23
Faith says: “God has spoken. He cannot lie. Therefore what He has promised is more real than what I see and feel.”
Let us now move to practical steps. Faith must be lived. I will give four distinct steps, each with a suggested proclamation.
### 1) Fix Your Focus on Jesus, Not on Yourself
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
Faith does not grow by introspection but by beholding Christ.
Proclamation:
“Lord Jesus, You are the founder and finisher of my faith. I turn my eyes away from myself and fix them on You. You began Your work in me; You will also complete it.”
### 2) Identify and Lay Aside Weights and Sins
“Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely…” (Hebrews 12:1).
This requires honest examination before God.
Proclamation:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I renounce every weight and every sin that hinders my race. I choose to lay them aside. I receive Your grace to run freely and obediently.”
### 3) Live Daily by Faith, Not by Feelings or Circumstances
“The righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).
This is a moment-by-moment decision.
Make Scripture your final authority, not your emotions or environment.
Proclamation:
“I am righteous in Christ, and I live by faith. I do not live by fear, by sight, or by the opinions of men. God’s Word is my final authority in every situation.”
### 4) Practice Faith Through Trust and Doing Good
“Trust in the LORD, and do good” (Psalm 37:3).
Faith must be expressed:
Replace passivity with obedient action aligned to Scripture. Faith expresses itself in love (Galatians 5:6).
Proclamation:
“I trust in the LORD and I do good. I dwell where He has placed me, and I befriend faithfulness. By His grace, I walk in steady obedience and practical righteousness.”
### Proclamation of Faith
Speak this aloud, as an act of aligning yourself with the Word of God:
> I declare that faith is the assurance of things I hope for,
> the conviction of things I do not yet see.
> I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,
> who testify that God is faithful and His promises are true.
>
> I lay aside every weight and every sin that hinders my race.
> I run with endurance the race that God has set before me.
> I fix my eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith.
>
> I am righteous in Christ, and I live by faith.
> I trust in the LORD and I do good.
> I dwell where He has placed me, and I befriend faithfulness.
> The Word of God is my title deed to every promise He has made.
>
> My life is built on the Rock of faith in Jesus Christ,
> and I will not be moved.
> Amen.
### Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the gift of faith. I acknowledge that without faith it is impossible to please You. I ask You now: strengthen my faith by Your Holy Spirit. Open my eyes to see Jesus more clearly as the author and finisher of my faith.
Show me every weight and every sin that hinders my race. Give me the courage and the power to lay them aside. Teach me to live not by sight, but by trust in Your unchanging Word. In days of shaking and uncertainty, anchor me in the reality that the righteous shall live by faith.
I choose to trust in You and to do good. Establish me in faithfulness. Let my life bear witness that You are faithful, that Your promises are sure, and that Jesus Christ is a solid Rock under my feet. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty name.
Amen.
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