Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 159

June 9;   Hebrews 11:1;   215/260(I);   ‘Bible Faith’

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

This verse is the classical standard verse teaching on Bible faith.  ‘Now faith is…’ faith is always now, it is always present tense.  Faith is never future tense.  We’ll talk about that.  ‘Substance’ literally means title deed.  Your faith is the title deed, that what you are praying for, in line with the Word of God, is yours.  You do not see the answer to your prayer of faith as of yet, but because the Bible tells you that what you are praying for is yours, you believe it.  God’s Word is true, the Lord loves you and He is not a liar.  God’s Word is the document that tells you what is yours before you see it.  When you purchase a house, you sign documents and are given the deed to the house.  That deed tells you that the house is yours.  You do not see the house, but because you have the deed, you know that the house belongs to you.  It is the same with whatever you are praying for.  If the Word tells you that the need you have has been met by the Lord, then you know that your prayer is answered, even though you have not seen the answer manifest as of yet.  ‘Evidence’ means conviction, it means assurance.  The Word is the evidence, the conviction, the assurance that since the Word tells you that you have what you need and are praying for, is yours.  The manifestation of that answered prayer must come because the Word is true.  We see the answer to our prayers through the ‘eyes of faith.’  Our faith is never ‘blind,’ it is built on the validity of God’s Word.  The Lord tells me what is mine in His Word, I believe it by faith, declare it is mine and receive the manifestation of my prayer.  Our faith pleases God.