Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for… Hebrews 11:1
Things hoped for are things that we do not yet possess, things that do not yet exist. Some things that would be included in this are:
Redeemed bodies
No believer has a redeemed body, but someday you will. Paul says that we “wait eagerly” for the redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:23).
A spotless church
No church is spotless. We are gatherings of sinners in the process of being redeemed. Holiness is begun in us, but it is far from complete, even in the best of us. But one day Christ will present the church to Himself, and on that day, the church will be “without spot or wrinkle” (Eph. 5:27).
A perfect world
Our world is far from perfect, and until Christ comes to reign, it always will be. But one day God will create a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1), the home of righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13).
How can we have confidence about things that are so far from what we experience? The answer is that faith trusts what God has promised; faith rests on the promises of God.
Commands are to be obeyed. Promises are to be believed. If a father says to his daughter, “Do your homework,” that is a command to be obeyed. If he then says, “When you are done, I will take you out for ice cream,” that is a promise to be believed.
Faith trusts what God has promised. That is why it is the assurance of things hoped for.
Which of these three promises of God are you most looking forward to?
