December 26

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. — Heb 11:1 BSB

Faith is an eminent grace—perhaps the Queen of graces. Faith often leads the way, though hope and love are close companions. But still, faith seems to hold the most prominent place. What is faith? This is a vital question, for on its answer depends heaven or hell. God has defined it for us: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” In other words, faith brings a reality to the things we hope for. It turns what may seem to others like shadows or mere words into something substantial and firmly rooted in the heart and conscience. The Apostle also calls faith “the evidence of things not seen,” meaning that by believing God’s testimony, faith becomes like an internal eye, enabling us to see what is otherwise invisible to the natural eye.

Faith is, then, the eye of the soul. As the Apostle says, “By faith he endured, seeing Him who is invisible.” Only by faith do we see God or the precious things of God. Only by faith do we feel their power. Only by faith do we know they have real existence, or that we ourselves have a saving interest in them. But this faith is the special gift of God. It is not the product of human intellect, reasoning, or historical proof. It is a grace of the Spirit, a gift from God raised up in the soul, and it acts upon the truth of God as the Spirit draws it forth. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of faith, and we have no more faith—nor any less—than He is pleased to give and sustain in us by His almighty power.

Let’s explore one of faith’s key operations. The Apostle says, “Unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” This shows us that faith has the unique ability to mix with the word of truth. The Holy Spirit applies God’s word to the conscience, raises up the grace of faith, and then this faith embraces God’s testimony. Faith enters into it, appropriates it, and makes it a living reality within the believer’s heart.

Consider how this worked for Abram. God appeared to him and said, “Fear not, I am your shield and exceeding great reward.” But Abram, in a moment of unbelief, replied, “What can you give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?” God then showed Abram the stars in the sky and promised, “So shall your descendants be.” Here was God’s testimony directly to Abram’s soul, and faith immediately sprang up, for Scripture says, “Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” When God spoke, Abram believed it, through the Spirit’s work in his heart. This is true for every believer. When God speaks to the soul, they believe it because the Spirit both applies God’s word and raises up faith, which embraces it and gives it a firm place in the heart and conscience.