Living Understanding Pt 2: Substance
Hebrews 11:1-3 1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, setting them above the crowd. 3By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see. (TMT)
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (NKJV)
2Corinthians 4:16-18 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Romans 8:24-25 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Several years ago I lost my wife to COPD, a horribly debilitating disease which slowly but inexorably causes the sufferer to drown in their own fluids. It was a difficult time and in many ways I thought my life, too, was over. My son, who was apostate, or at best agnostic, and was of course grieving himself, remarkably gave one word of comfort. He said, “It is going to be alright; after all, you have your faith.” I remember thinking at the time that that was an odd thing to say, and that it really didn’t have any relevance to my grieving.
Substance
But my son really had his finger on the pulse of things, much more than did I, and was able with that quiet yet kind remark to realign my soul with what is really important in life. Why is it, I also wonder, that some people, particularly scientists, whose jobs routinely deal with interpreting facts presented to them, have a difficult time of having faith. And why do others, also routinely interpreting facts, seem to have well developed faith. I’ve pondered this for some years now and have come to the conclusion that apart from God’s grace, people look to what they see and don’t consider what is behind what they see.
Things not seen
The substance of a thing is not what is on the surface, but what is at the core of its nature. But people often go through their lives focused on the routine and the ordinary, making money, paying bills, loving, raising families, but not asking themselves basic questions like, “Why am I doing this?” The ‘why’ is often more important than the ‘do’. But God is focused on the opposite; to him the nature of our soul, the motivations of our heart, are far more important than the manner in which we manage our lives. God is invisible; we have never seen our soul. Are they imaginary constructs? Not at all. In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus cautions us that what we think directs what we do, he is pointing out that what is unseen is more important than what is seen. Most of us have never murdered, but hate is only one step away. We may not have committed adultery, but lust is just a precursor.
Outwardly wasting; inwardly renewing
In dealing with the difficulties of life, those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior are far more capable, have far more skills, than of which we are aware. Life is difficult these days; expenses are high, our income never seems to be quite enough, and the enticements of the world are so alluring. But Christ in our heart is all about what is really important. Believer, are you aware that God talks to you? There is a still, small voice which we hear. That is God giving direction or counsel. The unbelieving world might call in intuition, or gut-instinct, but really, it is God. This sometimes one-way communication refreshes and renews. As we begin to realize it’s God a quiet ease takes over that brings a calm, enviable quality to our life. We still have the same difficulties, but somehow they don’t weigh as heavily.
The world would call this a bunch of baloney. All they see is work, work, work, and struggle, struggle, struggle. Some get ahead; many don’t. And the price paid is heavy; stress, worry, ulcers. But what they don’t see, the unseen thing, is that God Himself is guiding us in a loving, caring, gracious way. So faith, that undergirding foundation, is actually a source of great strength. As we live trusting in the love and grace of God things start to change. We begin to live our lives in a way that pleases him. Godly values become more important than worldly ones. We begin to have greater peace with those around us; work and social lives become better. This is a slow, but unstoppable process as we become more refective of Christ.
What about me?
The bottom line of all this is that faith is the most important asset in our lives. It is tempting to fall victim to the enemy’s lies; he wants us to give up on God and turn back to the world. Trusting God helps us avoid making bad decisions and helps us get out of bad situations. Look at these verses:
30Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. (Isaiah 40:30-31)
11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)
It is important to remember that God loves us and will not forsake us. We are not alone. So when things seem particularly bleak, that is exactly the time to turn towards God. That is when we are the most vulnerable, and most willing to listen. And listen we should because God will not let us fall.