Faith Is The Assurance Of What We Hope For, Being Certain Of What We Cannot See

 "Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see.  Because of their faith, our ancestors were approved.

It was by faith, that Abraham, called by GOD, set out for a country that would be given to him as an inheritance; for the parted without knowing where he was going.  By faith, he lived as a stranger in that promised land.  There, he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, beneficiaries of the same promise.  Indeed, he looked forward to that city of solid foundation, of which GOD is the architect and builder.

By faith, Sarah, herself, received power to become a mother, in spite of her advanced age; since she believed that, HE, who had made the promise, would be faithful.  Therefore, from an almost impotent man, were  born descendants, as numerous as the stars of heaven, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore." - Hebrews 11:1-2. 8-12 

(Doubts overcome those who isolate themselves.  Why do we not look at those who have gone before us, not just one or the other but the mass of witnesses: all cannot be illusory.

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see.  The examples chosen show that faith cannot remain within us as an intimate conviction.  What matters is to act according to faith and make decisions inspired by faith.  That is why this chapter offers so many biblical examples of men and women who risked everything for faith.  We cannot understand the obedience of Abraham unless he had trust in GOD against all hope.  The same when Moses gave up a promising future for the impossible task of leading his people: his faith made him act in the present as if he saw what was invisible.)

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