Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11: 1)

What the writer of Hebrews means when he says that faith is the substance of things hoped for is that faith is driven by hope. Hope is the switch which activates faith. Where there is no hope, there is no need for faith.

People tend to have faith which matches their hopes. Have you ever wondered why a woman has faith that she can somehow redecorate her house while her husband doesn’t think they can afford it? Then, at the same time, her husband has faith that somehow he can get a new fishing boat when his wife thinks it is too expensive.

The reason is simple. They each have different hopes and they use their own faith to make them believe in the possibility of what they hope for.

Later on in Hebrews chapter 11, we read that without faith it is impossible to please God. Today’s portion of Hebrews 11: 1 affirms that without hope, it is impossible to have faith. Therefore, if you find that your faith seems weak, never lose hope!