For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

Yesterday I watched the recorded Open Table Conference discussion on Faith in Hebrews 11 led by Paul Young. He asked us to begin by supposing we know nothing about the word faith. Instead focus on the word hypostasis. Hypostasis is a strange Greek word and it means the underlying substance, the fundamental reality that supports all else and underlies everything.

In Hebrews 11:1: Faith is the substance (hypostasis) of hoped for things, the proof of things not being seen. In 1522, Luther with the assistance of another man, altered the translation of Hebrews 11:1 with words that the ancient writers would not have used. He introduced the idea of faith as sure confidence, not the substance framed inside of being. The NASB translation: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The NIV translation: Now faith is confidence in what we hoped for and assurance about what we do not see. With this slight alteration, faith becomes something subjective that I must produce or perish. Do I have enough faith? Am I doing it right??

What was Paul Young’s point? Faith is a Person. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3. I will be digesting and chewing on that understanding for awhile and praying the Holy Spirit will guide my understanding. That is the beauty of relying on God to help me.

And so we come to 2 Samuel 22. Here David sings words of praise to God whom he loves and who is very real to him. His faith is firmly in God, not in himself and confidence produced by him. Are we not shattered, as Paul Young said, when we fear we don’t have enough faith? How many times have I worried because my faith felt so meager? If my salvation depended upon MY faith alone, I am in big trouble. From David’s song: You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. v. 29.

My faith is not what helps me. God who takes hold of my right hand and tells me not to fear helps me. I loved when Paul Young reminded us in Hebrews 11: By faith the walls of Jericho fell…God did that…not confidence drummed up by the people circling around Jericho!

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing…David penned that as well and he knew Faith as a Person he believed in…and that Person is God. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. v. 32-33. God keeps us secure.

Read the song David sang in this chapter. It is truly beautiful. Our participation in our walk is with a Person, not an idea. Keep your eyes on Him. He is faithful and He will guide you to Him and to His love for you. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8. That is our Promise, not an idea…a Person who loves us so much He gave His life for us.

This morning I realized that Jesus walked on water. I know that sounds strange, but bear with me. Have we really understood that? Can you walk on water? When Peter tried to walk on water to Jesus and finally started to sink…because his faith faltered so he doubted…what reached down to him? His faith that faltered? No. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31. Faith is a Person and that Person will take hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Keep your eyes firmly on Him! He’s here. Thank You, Lord! Help us to see!