Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Faith is at the heart of the Christian life. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith not as wishful thinking but as confident trust — a belief that God’s promises are true even when they can’t be seen or measured. This verse lays the foundation for understanding what it means to truly walk by faith.
What Does “Confidence in What We Hope For” Mean?
Faith gives believers confidence in God’s promises. Hope, in the biblical sense, is not uncertainty. It is the steady expectation that God will do what He said He would do. This confidence comes from knowing His character — that He is faithful and unchanging.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. — Hebrews 10:23
Real faith means trusting God even when the outcome is not visible. It’s the kind of confidence that led Abraham to leave his home without knowing his destination.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. — Hebrews 11:8
He believed because he knew the One who called him.
“Assurance About What We Do Not See”
Faith goes beyond sight. It’s easy to believe when everything is visible and certain. But faith grows in the unseen — in the waiting, in the unknown, and in the silence. This assurance is what gives strength in times of trial.
For we live by faith, not by sight. — 2 Corinthians 5:7
When life doesn’t make sense, faith holds steady. It’s the assurance that God’s unseen hand is still at work, guiding and providing even when the path ahead looks unclear.
Examples of Faith in Action
Hebrews 11 is often called the “Faith Hall of Fame.” It recounts story after story of people who trusted God through the unseen. These examples remind us that faith is active — it moves, obeys, and perseveres.
| Example | Act of Faith | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Noah | Built an ark before any rain fell | His family was saved |
| Abraham | Left his homeland in obedience | Became the father of many nations |
| Moses | Chose to suffer with God’s people | Led Israel out of Egypt |
| Rahab | Hid the spies in Jericho | Saved from destruction |
Faith Today
Faith today still requires believing in what cannot be seen — God’s presence, His promises, and His eternal plan. It’s the quiet assurance that every prayer is heard and that every step of obedience brings us closer to His purpose.
Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. — James 1:3
Faith strengthens us to keep going when the outcome isn’t visible. It shifts our focus from what’s temporary to what’s eternal.
Living by Faith
To live by faith is to trust God’s Word over our feelings and circumstances. It’s to stand firm when everything around us shakes. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting the One who does.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. — Hebrews 11:6
Faith gives life purpose, direction, and peace. It turns the unseen into certainty because it rests on the unchanging truth of God.
