Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
If the order doesn’t matter then we have a combination, if the order matters then we have a permutation. One can say that a permutation is an ordered combination. The embryo of faith is Godly hope. Faith is not an intangible random feeling but is a substance, deposit and seed planted in our hearts when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. This faith must be nurtured, grown and fostered in the womb of hope. Only when the seed of faith matures, would it have eyes to see the impossible, mind to comprehend the impracticable and heart to believe the insurmountable. Hence “faith” that is not protected by the matrix of hope in Christ, will soon wither, wilt and die.
Hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and His faithfulness. “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly” – Richard Bach. It is only in the cocoon of hope that our faith grows stronger, prettier and brighter. So the permutation is faith in the Lord Jesus and His Word, incubated in a matrix of hope. The combination of hope without Godly faith is only “wishful thinking”.
The permutation of faith and hope:
1. Frail: Matthew 8:26 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”. The combination of fear and faith is frail, fragile and feeble. Fear is an experience that is controlled by what we see, feel and believe. When the Lord has promised us progression and multiplication, the sudden devastating storm of a bad doctors report should not shrivel our faith. Jesus did not refuse a miracle to those with little shaky faith. Yet, our boldness, audacity and courage that surges from faith avails much.
2. Footling: Hebrews 10:38 my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him”. Footling faith disappoints God. Faith must be nurtured to become fruitful. Our trifling complaints do not please God and will not germinate the seed or grow the substance of faith. Shrinking back is questioning God or doubting His word or our worthiness to receive the promise. Hope is an environment that trusts in His ability, His righteousness and His graciousness not our strength, uprightness or nobility to receive from God. Complaints set the seed of faith on fire and burns it down to dust.
3. Faint: Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”. Faith grows while resting and waiting on God. Faith cosseted and sheltered in hope will grow in strength. A mother waits for 9 months for her baby; we wait for years for a fruit tree to bear fruits; for a doctor’s appointment, or at the airport but waiting on the Lord is one of the most difficult tasks for many of us. The anxious who have no patience, perseverance or persistence faint in their faith. Anxiety and faith are like oil and water; they cannot and will not mix.
The combination of fear, complaints and anxiety will destroy the atmosphere of hope and the seed of faith. Faith hatches in the ambience of hope rooted in the promises of God.
Psalms 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are my gracious, Almighty and invincible Father and You will do what you say. I will wait in hopeful anticipation for your promises to be fulfilled in my life. Amen
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