Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen - Hebrews 11:1
So we have a proverbial cup in front of us, the cup is filled/emptied to the half way point. I know you have already decided how you feel today based on the optimism/pessimism of your cup being empty/full. However, in much of life we are not at the half-way point, but we are at some other point in the cup all together. For those whom life is at a seeming standstill, we are just happy there is a cup. At this point, who really knows. With people who are constantly on the go, the point is almost moot, because they have been running on the drops at the bottom for quite some time now. So, where do we turn when our cup (if still present) is completely empty?
Faith: Faith is the answer to the question, when all else fails and we are running on the fumes, beyond empty, we need to have faith. Our faith, is best understood in what the writer of Hebrews gives as the definition of faith. “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for…”
At first glance, this statement almost seems oxymoronic; how can something that is a hope be a reality? The proof is in the promises that we have from God. “Come to me… and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28); “The Lord will wipe away the tears from every face…” (Isaiah 25:8); “The Lord gives his people strength” (Psalm 29:11). And we are only getting started with these few verses. There is a vast library to understand the complete promise of God.
When we increase our faith, through study if these promises, or through prayer, or through enduring hope; we find there is so much more of a hope for this life and for the one still to come, than we first imagined. Though we cannot see it now, we can still know that God is bringing about His Kingdom and it is rising with us, as we have faith to believe. It helps us to look inside our hearts and answer; How is God real to you? What promises do you stand upon? Where do you see the proof, the reality of hope?
I hope It is found in the faith you have in your relationship with Jesus, the Son of Man, and with His Holy Spirit. When we find our faith in him strengthened in Him who has been sent from an Almighty God; then we find our cup runneth over. We might even find that our cup no longer matters because we are filled to overflowing in His matchless, steadfast love, and we may just choose to stay there and rest for a little while.
May God fill you up, lift you up, and may your faith be filled with hope, today and always.
Grace & Peace,
Sam