Faith: The One Who Promises is Faithful

In the midst of trials, the book of Hebrews offers us a beacon of hope and a call to unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:23 states, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." This verse captures the core of Christian faith, which goes beyond simply affirming God's promises; it's about deeply trusting in His character as faithful and good. It's essential to recognize that faith involves not just believing in the words spoken but also trusting that the One who makes the promise is inherently faithful, good, and trustworthy, even when circumstances seem to challenge this truth.

From Eden to Us: Faith in God's Goodness

The narrative of faith begins in sacred space. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's initial life was one of faith, trusting in God's command and His goodness. Their fall came not from disbelief in God's existence but from doubting His benevolence (Genesis 3). This pattern has persisted through history; when we question God's goodness during hardships, we risk abandoning their faith. The author of Hebrews highlights this with the example of the wilderness generation. They would receive a promise from God, act on it, but when life challenged that promise, they faltered and blamed God, repeating the cycle. The author of Hebrews is essentially saying, "Don't do that!" No matter what your eyes see, you should subject your experiences to the Word of God, not the other way around.

Faith Beyond Words: The Promise Giver is Trustworthy & Good

The author of Hebrews encourages believers to maintain their confession of faith steadfastly. This isn't just about believing in the promises God has made; it's about judging the character of the One who made those promises. Here, faith is portrayed as an assurance in God's reliability, akin to Abraham's faith as described in

Hebrews 11:8-10:

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."

Abraham's life and actions illustrates the core of faith: trusting in God's promise even when the physical reality seems to contradict it. He did not judge God's promise by what his eyes saw but rather judged his circumstances by the promise. How do we know that he did? He was given the promise land then dwelt in the land in a tent. Meditate on that till it hits you that he’s in a tent, there are people occupying the land, and you have no children who are promised to live in it! This is the faith that leads to endurance.

The Test of Faith: Seeing Beyond the Visible

God often presents us with circumstances that seem to challenge His promises. Just as Abraham was tested, we too face moments where our faith is tried. Hebrews 11:17-19 reminds us:

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back."

Abraham's faith did not waver because he trusted in the goodness and power of God, not just in the words spoken. This perspective is crucial; it's the difference between enduring faith and falling into apostasy.

Intellectual Assent vs. True Faith

Even Satan believes in God's existence and the reality of His power, as noted in James 2:19: "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!"

However, his belief lacks faith because he does not trust in God's goodness or His promises. True faith, therefore, is not just about acknowledging God but trusting in His character, believing that He is faithful and good, even when life seems to suggest otherwise.

Conclusion: Holding Fast in Faith

Hebrews 10:23 isn't merely a call to believe in God's promises; it's a profound exhortation to trust in the One who made them. In our lives, when hardships arise, we are called to look beyond our immediate circumstances, to see through the eyes of faith that God remains good, faithful, and true. Let us hold fast to our hope, not because we see the fulfillment with our eyes, but because we know the One who promised. Faith, in its deepest sense, trusts in the heart of God, ensuring that our hope does not waver but stands firm in His everlasting faithfulness.