Hebrews 11:1 - Faith

Heb 11:1 (NIV)  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see.

FAITH: Trusting commitment of one person to another, particularly of a
person to God. [The Holman Bible Dictionary]

Two words describe faith: 'sure' and 'certain.' These two qualities need a
secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing
in God's character--he 'is' who he says. The end point is believing in God's
promises--he will 'do' what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill
his promises even though we don't see those promises materializing yet, we
demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31). [Life Application SB]

True biblical faith is not an emotional kind of wishful thinking; it is an
inner conviction based on the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). In v. 1 the word
substance means "assurance" and evidence means "proof." So, when the Holy
Spirit gives us faith through the Word, the very presence of that faith in
our hearts is all the assurance and evidence we need! Dr. J. Oswald Sanders
says, "Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and
the invisible as seen." Through faith, we can see what others cannot see
(note vv. 1, 3, 7, 13, and 27). When there is true faith in the heart, God
bears witness to that heart by His Spirit (note vv. 2, 4-5, and 39). By
faith, Noah saw coming judgment, Abraham saw a future city, Joseph saw the
Exodus from Egypt, and Moses saw God.
Faith accomplishes things because there is power in the Word of God, as
illustrated by the Creation in v. 3. God spoke, and it was done! God still
speaks to us. When we believe what He says, the power of the Word
accomplishes things in our lives. The same Word that acted in the old
creation acts in the new creation. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]

To abide in faith is to put aside feeling and selfish desires, to walk
humbly with the Lord, to appropriate His promises, and apply them to all
occasions, believing that God will work out His own plans and purposes in
your heart and life by the sanctification of your character; it is to rely
entirely, to trust implicitly, upon the faithfulness of God.  FE342,3

True faith and true prayer -- how strong they are! They are as two arms by
which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith
is trusting in God,--believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our
best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In
place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His
strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives,
ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts
its blessings. . . .
It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only
faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour;
which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion.
But saving faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join
themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living
faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul
becomes a conquering power. GW259-261

Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday
approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly
receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise.
Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is
the conviction based on past experience that God's new and fresh surprises
will surely be ours. [Life Application SB]