Reality Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Lilly and Sam raced downstairs on Christmas morning, barely able to contain their excitement. The tree was surrounded by packages that had mysteriously appeared during the night. “I got a bike!” Lilly whispered to her brother. Sam glanced at the packages and then at Lilly. “Where? There’s no bike under there.” She squealed with glee. “I know! It’s in the garage. I saw it last night.” Even though Mom and Dad were not yet with them, and the kids could see no bike with Lilly’s name on it, Lilly had complete confidence that what she hoped for was already hers. Her faith was more than wishful thinking, because she knew it was only a matter of time until her hope became reality.

That’s what the word substance means in this verse. Try substituting “reality” for the word “substance” and see how strong that sounds. Faith is more than wishful thinking; it begins where the will of God is known. So before we can exercise a reality kind of faith, we must draw close enough to God to know His will for our situation. This is not a Genie-in-the-Sky kind of faith, where our wish is His command. God is far greater than that. This is an “If-He-said-it-then-He-will-do it” kind of faith.  When we desire what He desires for us, we can trust that it is only a matter of time until our hope becomes reality. 

What has God promised in your situation? Are you exercising a reality kind of faith?

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