Hope Series Episode 6

Hope Series Episode 6

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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Hello, my walking friend! It is such a blessing to be able to walk with Jesus, to have a relationship with the creator of the universe. I hope that realization is filling you with pure joy right now! Let the love he has for you, a love so great he paid the ultimate price to have a relationship with you – let that love just fill your soul and let it fill your walk today with hope.

Today is the 6th episode in the hope series and our verse to meditate on is Hebrews 11:1:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The first part of Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for.” Faith is not a vague belief or mere wishful thinking, no, it is a confident assurance in the promises of God. This assurance stems from knowing that God is faithful and true to His word. Throughout the Bible, God reveals His faithfulness by fulfilling His promises time and time again. Abraham, Moses, David, and countless others experienced God’s faithfulness as they put their trust in Him. Similarly, for us today, faith is rooted in the unchanging character of God and His unwavering commitment to His children.

The second part of the verse, “the conviction of things not seen,” sheds light on the inseparable connection between faith and hope. Faith and hope are intertwined like two threads woven together in a tapestry. Hope looks ahead to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and faith is the unshakeable conviction that those promises will come to pass. As believers, we hope in the things unseen, the eternal and spiritual realities promised by God, such as salvation, resurrection, and eternal life in His presence. It is through faith that we can lay hold of these unseen realities, treating them as concrete certainties, even though they are yet to be fully revealed.

Throughout the Bible, we encounter numerous examples of people who demonstrated remarkable faith in God despite not fully seeing the fulfillment of His promises. Noah faithfully built an ark in anticipation of a flood, though he had never experienced rain. Abraham believed God’s promise of a son, even when he and Sarah were well beyond childbearing age. These heroes of faith trusted the unseen God, confident that He would fulfill His word. In our lives, too, we are called to trust in God’s faithfulness, even when circumstances seem uncertain or when we cannot see the entire picture.

Hebrews 11:1 serves as an invitation to live a life of faith. It beckons us to place our trust in God, confident in His promises and assured of His goodness. Faith is not reserved for a select few; it is available to all who choose to believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Through faith, we receive salvation: Ephesians 2:8, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Through faith we find peace with God: Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And through faith we experience transformation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Faith enables us to walk in obedience, love, and hope, as we follow the example set by Jesus Himself.

Sometimes we may think that if we lived when Jesus lived and walked with him in person, then we would be filled with faith and hope! If only we walked with the Israelites when God parted the Red Sea and we walked with them on dry ground, then we would have immovable faith and incredible hope. But I think we would be deceiving ourselves. After all, it didn’t work for all the Israelites or the disciples that walked with Jesus. Many of them had weak faith when times got tough and they lost hope! And Jesus knows this about our nature! That is why he desires so much for us to have faith and hope, even when we don’t see! He told his doubting apostle Thomas, you believe because you have seen me, but blessed are those who will believe even though they haven’t seen me in person. The people Jesus was talking about are people like you and me! Don’t you want those blessings from Jesus? I know I do!

Today’s verse captures the essence of biblical faith—a firm assurance in God’s promises and a confident conviction in the unseen realities of His kingdom. Through faith, we embrace hope and find strength to navigate life’s uncertainties. Let us, like the heroes of faith before us, fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ, as we walk in hope and trust in Him.

Now let’s take a little time to meditate on today’s verse, Hebrews 11:1:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection.

Do you sometimes think that if you saw Jesus face to face, like Thomas, that you would never doubt? Consider your answer now.

Remember that the apostles, who saw Jesus face to face, lost all hope after he was crucified. But then the Holy Spirit filled them with bold faith and confident hope. What can help you remember to pray to the Holy Spirit for bolder faith and a heavenly hope?

Does knowing that the biblical prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled give you hope? In what way?

Now let’s listen to today’s verse one last time:
Hebrews 11:1:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Anything going on in your life? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:
Dear Jesus,
I admit I am guilty of thinking that if I saw you face to face, I would never be like doubting Thomas. And yet you have told me you are with me always and will never leave me, so why would I doubt at all? Forgive me, Jesus, for not treasuring the promises you have given me. Help me with any unbelief and grow my faith. I want to please you, Jesus. I want my name in the saints’ hall of fame. I see the connection between faith and hope and I know that the more I put my trust in you and my focus on heaven, the more faith and hope I will have. Holy Spirit, fill my entire being so that I will know my Lord and Savior, Jesus, better. Thank you, Jesus, for your patience with me and for the hope that I have. And thank you for walking with me always. Amen.

Well, my walking friend, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today.

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue to meditate on Biblical hope. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.