What does God want us to know about faith?
Faith ~ assurance of things hoped for…not “out there somewhere” but of real substance.
Faith ~ conviction, being convinced of things not seen…factual reality.

(NASB) Hebrews 11:1 “NOW FAITH is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it (faith) the men of old gained approval.”

Think of those men of old, before the word of God was written down…God revealed Himself to them over and over again.  He met them where they were in history.

He desires to meet you where you are…what do you need to do to gain God’s approval?  Respond to Him by faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Those men back in the mists of time…responded to the living God by faith.  They were assured of hope having real substance, although they couldn’t “see” it then.  They were convinced of the factual reality of God’s promises to them…and those promises were all pointing to Messiah, God’s Anointed One, Jesus Christ.

One example of faith in God’s promises is Genesis 3:15.  Adam and Eve sinned; they disobeyed God’s word to them.  Immediately, God dealt with the sin and the sinners.  He promised victory over the devil through Jesus Christ.

(NASB) Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity
Between you (the devil) and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed (Jesus Christ);
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Did Adam and Eve “see” the results of that promise?  No, God’s timing was thousands of years later.  Jesus conquered the devil when He died on a cross and was resurrected from the grave.  Jesus was indeed bruised on His heel when He was nailed to the cross.  God’s word of prophecy was fulfilled by Christ Jesus.

Faith in God’s words gains God’s approval.

How do you gain God’s approval?  Believe Him!  Believe His words and act upon them.
Gaining God’s approval is knowing He is not lying…that His words are true and you can depend upon them.

You can’t see into the future…but you can move forward knowing that as you go in God’s will – you gain His approval…that is living by faith!

(NIV) Romans 1:17 “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”