HebrewsSample

At the beginning of Hebrews 11, we are given a clear definition of faith: it is a confident assurance in what we hope for, and a firm trust in what we do not see. Faith is therefore not just a vague hope, but a deeply rooted conviction that God’s promises are true, even when we cannot yet see them. Faith gives us solid footing, even when external circumstances seem to contradict it.

The early witnesses of faith mentioned here—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham—lived out this definition. They often did not see God’s promises fulfilled, but they acted in trust. Abraham, for example, left his homeland and went to an unknown land because he believed God would give him descendants, even though he had no children yet.

What stands out in these examples is the connection between faith and action. Faith led Abel to offer the best sacrifice, Noah to build an ark before any rain had fallen, and Abraham to set out without knowing the destination. These actions did not arise from human certainty, but from trust in God’s promises. Faith—the confident trust in the unseen—shaped their lives and their decisions.

Something to think about

• What does it mean for you to trust in what is “not yet seen”?
• Are there promises of God in your life that you are waiting for?
• How can you take steps of faith today, even when the fulfillment of these promises is not yet visible?