“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Faith isn’t just an abstract belief—it’s the tangible evidence of things unseen, as Hebrews 11:1 reminds us. It’s the “substance” that points others to a power far beyond our own. One day, I did myself a huge favor by listing the manifestations of my faith in God—those proofs of His work that clearly exceed my abilities. Though my list was short, it’s growing, and it’s longer than it was a decade ago. For instance, these very words you’re reading are one manifestation. God has faithfully led me to write about the lessons He teaches during my quiet time, no matter my location or circumstances. It’s not always polished, but it is always lively, even in chaos. The more we exercise it, the more we see it.
Oh, how God is worthy of our greatest faith!
We all place faith in something—our jobs, workouts, diets, loved ones, or whatever motivates us daily. Yet, we often give God our leftovers, despite His unmatched faithfulness. Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith,” showcases this through Old Testament heroes. It declares, “By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which appear.” (Hebrews 11:3) These folks’ testimony of their faith was manifested to the world by what they did. The supernatural faith they received from God was evidenced by actions that defied human logic. They knew God had a better plan for their future than what this broken world could offer, and they lived to manifest God’s glory to the world.
Just as the stories of the heroes of faith inspire us, we should also be writing our own. If you’re newly born again, God has written your greatest story: your salvation story. If you need help integrating the Gospel into your story—feel free to use mine! Write your story down, pray over it, print, it and—most importantly—share it as your own personal tract, and learn to speak it to others. We are called to share the good news of Christ!!! As you follow God diligently, He’ll weave miraculous events with your time, energy, love, and resources. God has given you this day! Give it back. Use the faith He has given you to get out of the boat of doubt and begin to walk on the waters of believing. Then your faith will be clearly manifested by the works God is doing in you!
What does this evidence of faith look like today? Inspired by Hebrews 11’s heroes, here’s a modern list of simple, everyday ways faith manifests—proofs that point others back to God:
By faith, like Abel offering his best, we prioritize giving from our paycheck first, even when bills pile up, trusting God to multiply the rest and provide unexpectedly.
By faith, like Enoch walking with God, we commit to daily quiet time amid a hectic schedule, finding peace that colleagues notice and ask about.
By faith, like Noah building the ark, we stand against cultural norms, like choosing forgiveness in a toxic workplace, leading to reconciled relationships that baffle others and make them curious about God.
By faith, like Abraham leaving his homeland, we relocate for a job or mission opportunity God leads us to, and trust Him with all the details, watching God open doors we couldn’t have forced.
By faith, like Sarah conceiving in old age, we pursue the greatest desires that God plants inside us—starting a family, a business, or a ministry—and then watch Him make breakthroughs that defy human logic or odds.
By faith, like Jacob wrestling with God, we persist in prayer during personal struggles, like addiction or grief, and we emerge changed, and become an inspiration of Christ to those around us.
By faith, like Joseph interpreting dreams, we use our skills humbly at work, crediting God for insights that lead to promotions or solutions others deem impossible.
By faith, like Moses confronting Pharaoh, we advocate for justice in our community, like volunteering at a shelter or advocating for the unborn and we see God change lives beyond our efforts.
By faith, like Rahab hiding the spies, we risk comfort to help the vulnerable, such as aiding a neighbor in crisis, and experience God’s protection in return.
By faith, like Gideon defeating Midian, we tackle overwhelming tasks with limited resources, like organizing a fundraiser, and marvel at God’s amplification.
By faith, like the prophets enduring trials, we maintain joy in hardship, like job loss or illness, drawing others who see the fruit of God’s Spirit despite the hardships, and they desire to know the hope alive within us.
These aren’t grand spectacles, but rather—everyday acts where God’s power shines through our obedience. What manifestations are on your list? Start small, but start today.
Challenge:
This week, make your own list of faith manifestations. Ask God to lead you to share your salvation story with someone, whether in conversation, a social media post, or a handwritten note.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith, the evidence of things unseen. Forgive me for placing my trust in lesser things, and help me to exercise this gift more greatly in my life. Help me to get out of the boat and walk by faith in any area of my life where I’m still depending upon myself. Reveal Your power to me clearly, so I can live like nothing is impossible with You. Keep my motivation clean—to live for Your glory. Lead my thoughts, words, and deeds, so through You I can do greater works than I could ever imagine! Lord, You are faithful to me; help me to be faithful to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
