This week, we are going to consider what I believe to be the greatest faith statement in the Bible. It is found in Habakkuk 3:11-19.
But, before we look at this statement of faith, let’s consider some things about faith.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
In this one verse, we discover three things about faith…
1. FAITH IS FUTURISTIC – “what we hope for”
“Hope” in Scripture is not wishful thinking. It’s not like, “I hope it doesn’t rain today.”
Paul speaks of having “our hope set on the living God.” (1 Timothy 4:10)
Peter says that we are “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
Those statements are not about wishful thinking. Rather, they speak of hope as something to be expected to happen in the future.
2. FAITH IS CONFIDENT – Three words of confidence are used in this one verse: “sure,” “hope,” “certain.”
Some other translations help to shed light on the phase “being sure of.”
Now faith is the substance (KJV)
Now faith is the assurance (ESV)
Now faith is the reality (HCSB)
Also, these other translations may help us understand the phrase being, “certain.”
the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)
the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
the proof of what is not seen. (HCSB)
Look back at what Paul said in 1 Timothy 4.10, “our hope set on the living God.”
3. FAITH IS FOCUSED ON THE UNSEEN – “what we do not see”
If you can see it, it’s not faith.
Hebrews 11:27 says, “By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”
What an amazing thought. Through our faith, we can see what cannot be seen. We see our future in heaven with Jesus. We see our sins forgiven. We see the overwhelming love of the presence of God.
Hebrews 11:6 teaches us one more thing about faith…
4. The pleasure of God toward us in in our faith
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
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