Snapshot
👀: Original post.
My Dear Friend,
Now faith is the substance [foundation or ‘stand-under’] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," says Hebrews 11:1. So, our Christian hope - for the fulfillment of promises, prophecies, scriptural intercessions, even the Lord’s coming - rests on the “substance” of biblical faith.
Biblical faith is utter confidence that “God is faithful” (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He therefore stands behind every word He utters, whether a revelation, promise, warning, or prophecy. Faithfulness is an integral part of God’s very divine nature. Therefore, God and His faithfulness are inseparable. When we begin seeing God’s unchanging faithfulness behind His every Word, our faith is transformed from a wavering hope and anxious prayer to a calm knowing and deep, strong assurance.
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (NAS); or, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for” (NIV); or, “being confident of what we hope for” (CJB). “Assurance,” “sure,” “confident,” do these words accurately describe our faith at this moment? In our present trials?
We are so accustomed to people saying one thing and doing another that we unconsciously project this disappointing reality on to God and subtly fear His integrity also is suspect. But the Creator is radically and wonderfully different from the creature: “God is not a man that he should lie … Hath he said and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
When we grasp this simple concept, our faith becomes Bible faith. We become assured, sure, confident God will always do just what He says. In His time, in His way, but always just what He says. And this faith becomes the “substance,” or spiritual foundation, of an undefeatable, joyful, infectious God-confidence.
Let’s take a brief walk through the Bible and see just how substantial this “substance” really is.
God called Abraham to be a father of many nations. After decades of being childless, Abraham fathered Ishmael and Isaac, from whom Israel and many Arab nations descended - as well as many nations filled with Gentile Christians having the faith of Abraham. What did God do? Just what He said.
When God called Paul, He said He had chosen Paul to be His witness to kings, governors, Jews, and Gentiles - and he would suffer greatly for this ministry. In the ensuing years, Paul shared the gospel before Emperor Nero, King Agrippa, Governor Festus, and countless Jews and Gentiles - and suffered greatly for the gospel. What did God do? Just what He said.
God informed Zacharias his long-barren wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son in her old age, his name would be John, and he would be the harbinger of the Messiah. Elizabeth did become pregnant, bore John, and John’s ministry prepared the way for the Messiah. What did God do? Just what He said.
God informed Mary she would conceive, bear a son, her child would be God’s Son, and later, a “sword” would rip through her heart with sorrow because of Him. Mary did conceive, Jesus was born, He was God’s divine Son, and His scandalous ministry and cruel crucifixion broke Mary’s heart. What did God do? Just what He said.
God told Simeon he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ. Many years later, one day the Holy Spirit prompted him to go to the temple, and there his eyes beheld the Christ child. What did God do? Just what He said.
In the Antonia fortress prison, God told Paul he would testify of Him in Rome. Over two years later, His angel added that Paul would stand before Caesar, his ship would sink, but no one on board would die, and they would land on a “certain island.” Luke reveals Paul’s ship indeed sunk, no crew or passengers drowned, they washed ashore on the Island of Malta and, three months later, Paul arrived in Rome - and Paul’s letter to the Philippians reveals he indeed ministered in Nero’s palace. What did God do? Just what He said.
And we could go on. God told Joseph he would lead and serve his father and brothers, and over twenty years later Joseph did just that. Christ predicted He would be betrayed, whipped, and crucified, and exactly this followed. He also prophesied He would rise the third day, and this, too, came to pass just as He spoke. Is this lesson sinking in yet?
Are you standing on this mighty “substance,” this unshakable “stand-under,” this immovable rock-like assurance, sureness, and confidence in whatever God says?
What has God said to you? By a distinct call to ministry? By a surprising summons to missions? By giving you a spiritual gift with which to glorify Him and edify His people? By repeated dreams revealing His will for you accompanied by portions of Scripture? By similar calls, messages, or prophecies coming through gifted ministers who, before speaking, did not know you or know each other, yet they all said the same thing to you?
And has God confirmed His call, message, prophecy, or promise over the years in different ways, showing you by His providential arrangements again and again that a particular gift, ministry, work, plan, relationship, marriage, church, or mission was indeed His will for you? Yet to date the promise He spoke has not yet materialized? And there’s laughably little or no evidence that it will ever happen? What should you do?
Stand in faith. Bible faith. True, Christian faith. Saving, delivering, healing faith. Faith in God’s unfailing faithfulness. Patient faith. Enduring faith. If need be, suffering faith. This is Abrahamic faith, Pauline faith, Marian faith. And it is a glorious faith!
And whatever else may not yet be clear to your mind, be clear about this: God’s nature is not changing. What He spoke to you and confirmed repeatedly is not changing. So, do not change your stand of faith. Don’t double over with fear, double down on the substance, or “spiritual stand under,” of your faith. Meditate on God’s awesome faithfulness, remember His awesome biblical fulfillments above, stand in believing awe, and go forward today in fellowship, worship, and duty, confident God will do just what He said!
“Sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:25).
Expecting just what He said.
