Sunday, November 3, 2013

On Evidence and Substance

Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen," and we are to be examples of this faith (Hebrew 11:1; 1 Timothy 4:12).

The child awakens in the morning to the sound of someone in the kitchen. The aroma of bacon wafts through the house as he throws off the bed covers and nearly skips to the breakfast table. Mom had promised his favorite pancakes, eggs and bacon, the evidence of which he detected in the sounds and smells. The substance of his faith in his mother's promise was his unusually quick dispense of warm cozy blankets and bare feet on the floor as he ran to greet his mother.

The bride stands in front of the full length mirror while the last if the pearl buttons down the back of her lace gown are closed by the matron if honor. The hair dresser pushes one stray hair back into place. The Bride's smile is radiant. She is getting married to the man if her dreams. The substance of her faith in his promise to marry her is the gown, the wedding party, the invitations and the arrangements. The evidence of his promise are the months or years of consistent words and actions of love, his continued proclamations of the same and sound if his voice in the sanctuary. She is getting married today.

Our faith is not blind faith. It is based on the evidence of God that surrounds us and his continual rescuing us from temptations. The substance of our faith is our obedience and the consistent comfort of his presence.

We exemplify this by our choices in trusting him.