The Paradox of Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:1 NKJV
For me, this is the most paradoxical statement in scriptures I have read in recent times: the evidence of things not seen.
Thinking about this opens me open to a premise that faith gives insight to the mind to design images, images that gives evidence of things that are yet to be birthed into reality.
These conceived images are the vehicles that slide faith from the abstract to reality.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Prov 23:7 NKJV
Abraham's Image Of Faith
Remember Abraham considered as the father of faith, while he was well stricken in age received a promise: God speaking expressively said behold the stars of the heavens as countless as they so shall your children become innumerable.
From whence forth he had a picture of an innumerable breed out his loins liken to the number of the stars in the sky.
We still have Abraham to thank for his exemplified illustration of faith in motion pictures. Remember how that by faith he was called out to go a land which he knew not, which he shall afterwards be given for an inheritance. With this he has to walk down the street of imagination yet again drawing himself an image of the impending reality of God’s word. He perceived in his mind eye that the land he wishes to see is a city whose foundation builder and maker is God.
Take a sparkle of light and ignite your mind with the design of a city whose architect is God. What do you see? How would that city designed by God look like in your eyes? That was Abraham’s eyes behold. What would do after catching a glimpse of the city of God.
The footage of Faith Behind Moses' Perseverance
Considering Moses, how that when he was born, was hid for three month because of the picture the parents saw about his future through faith.
By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw (image of the future) he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
Heb 11:23 NIV
By faith the parents had an image of Moses turning out to become a proper child over the process of time with age, this he actually became a reality when he was grown.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
Heb 11:24-25 NIV
Now with a close observation it is so easy to see that the picture of faith painted Moses’ parents took its place in reality. He refused the pleasures of sin, playing into the image design about him as a proper child.
Furthermore Moses also designed himself a castle in the future through faith.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in* Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
Heb 11:24-26 NKJV
The only reason why Moses could patiently persevere through the process of affliction was because he had some images of faith designed in his mentality of some kind of reward. He saw the reward that motivated him ahead of the pain. What would you patiently endure if you have you had an idea of what the future holds for you? What is most probably Gods design you’re the future.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions
Heb 11:32-34
NKJV