Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 October 2026 Hebrews 11:1.
Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.
Ah mih people, we’re on a bit of a late bus today, because I was up early, then went out to my Wednesday church group and ran a couple of errands afterwards, so by the time I got back home, I was tired and had to rest a spell to catch my second wind. (smile) Let’s hope we all do that today, so we can keep on doing good work for Jesus.
And today we’ll look at an interesting prayer from the Hour of Power 50th Anniversary Book of Daily Motivation and Inspiration, with writings by the late Dr. Robert H. Schuller. It’s a short prayer simply titled, ‘Faith.’ Please pray with me: ‘Lord, I believe in the sun, even when it’s behind the clouds; in the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in faith, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in hope, even when I have been hurt; in God, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’
And to be a true Christian you must believe in al those things, even when you don’t see them, or when you feel them, or when God’s says no. That’s because we have faith; faith in Almighty God and the truth of His word and His promises. And why do we have faith? We have faith because we simply need to believe that what God says is true, since we don’t see everything He says or does in our time frame. Remember His thoughts and ways are both higher and different than ours, (Is. 55:8-9) therefore not everything He does or doesn’t do we’ll understand, so something is necessary for us to believe Him and His doings. We call that thing faith.
And what is faith? Hebrews tells us that ‘Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) Now all that basically means is believing for things that you don’t see, but expect them to happen, because God promised them. The world says ‘seeing is believing,’ but God says, ‘believing is seeing,’ or you see it when you believe it. That’s why we can believe in the sun, even when we don’t see it on cloudy days, because we know it’s still there, just not visible because of the clouds.
God promised the Israelites, through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light, which divideth (disturbs) the sea when (and) the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.’ (Jer. 31:35-36) Yes friends, the Lord promised that if the sun, moon and stars ever disappear, then so will the nation of Israel. And it takes faith to believe in the faithfulness of God!
It’s the same thing with the seed that remains unsprouted in the ground. Jesus tells it thus: ‘So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast his seed into (upon) the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (grain in the head). But when the fruit is brought forth (ripens), immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.’ (Mark 4:26-29)
Yes friends, we sow the seeds, and they eventually sprout, how, we don’t know, but we believe by faith that they will sprout and produce a harvest, because God’s promised that when we sow good seeds in good soil they will grow. It’s also like James remind us about the value of patience and prayer. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and later rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (comes nearer every day).’ (James 5:7-8)
Ah mih bredrin, patience plays a large part in faith, for we oftentimes have to wait for things we desire, just like the farmer waits long months for the seed to grow and produce a harvest. In other words, faith is impossible without a large dose of patience. (smile) And as Christians, even when we’re betrayed, rejected or hurt, we’re still expected to stand strong in faith, hope and LOVE, for the Lord has promised that He will repay, comfort and restore us in times of trouble.
Remember Bruh Paul’s words from Romans. ‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire (shame) on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom. 12:19-21) That means we’re not to take personal revenge against those who do us wrong, but leave it all in God’s hand. And the ‘it was written,’ pertains to Deut. 32:35, when Moses first told that to the Israelites.
Remember also, the Lord’s promise in Isaiah: ‘To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, (console them) to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.’ (Is. 61:3)
And I like how this overview breaks down that promise. ‘Beauty for Ashes: Replaces dust and ashes—ancient symbols of grief, mourning, and repentance—with a crown, garland, or diadem of beauty. Oil of Joy for Mourning: Replaces sorrow and weeping with gladness and comfort. Garment of Praise for Heaviness: Replaces a spirit of despair, heaviness, or faintness with festive praise and thanksgiving. Trees of Righteousness: Describes those who receive this restoration as strong “oaks of righteousness” planted by the Lord for His glory.’
And friends, we’ve left the best for last; that’s LOVE; God’s greatest attribute. And Bruh Paul rightfully testifies to the values and worth of LOVE in 1 Cor. 13:, then finally makes this declaration: ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity (LOVE), but the greatest of these three is charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor, 13:13) Peter then puts it all together by saying: ‘And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ (1 Pet. 4:8) And that’s why LOVING God and LOVING ourselves and our neighbours are the greatest commandments! (Matt. 22:36-40)
Now, let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And those who endure to the very end with Jesus, will experience such a glorious future that it will boggle our finite minds. So let’s be wise and endure to the very end nuh, so that we can enjoy that glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…the essence of a Christian’s belief system…is rooted and grounded in faith…in Almighty God…
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