40 Days of Faith: Day 1

Hebrews 11:1-2 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

The night before Steve began the process of stem cell transplant at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, we discussed his road ahead. He was facing a 28-day journey where his mouth would swell with sores, his immune system would be taken to nothing, and his body would battle graft-versus-host disease.

In that conversation, Steve exuded a joy that could only be found in the Lord. He said, “Roger, I pray that during these next 28 days, I will be able to show people a joy that can only come from Jesus as I go through this fight.” As we talked further, I heard him say, “And look, if the Lord doesn’t heal me through this, what awaits me is so much greater. We have such an assurance of our faith, and I am so thankful to know where I will spend eternity.”

When Steve spoke about his “assurance of faith,” I flagged it. We don’t often speak in these terms, but as Hebrews 11 opens, it invites us to possess this bold confidence that I heard in Steve that evening.

As you re-read Hebrews 11:1-2, notice two words: assurance and conviction. The word assurance comes from the root word that means to possess a title or deed – “a legal document to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it.”  Here, the writer of Hebrews is saying that the faith in Jesus that we possess, grants us the title to a piece of property that we don’t yet currently live in.

He then adds the word, “conviction,” when he says, “the conviction of things not seen.” The word conviction here means convicting evidence – “evidence that makes someone fully agree, understand, and realize the truth or validity of something; especially based on argument or discussion.”

I love that this conviction is of things not seen – a belief in what is to come, what is on the way, or what awaits. As you read through this chapter and into Hebrews 12, you will see two key things that these saints were convinced of and upon which they based their lives. Those key things are a future heavenly city (see Hebrews 11:10), and the coming Messiah (see Hebrews 11:39-12:2).

Do you have this assurance and conviction? Do you know that you possess a title or deed to a piece of that heavenly city?

If you don’t yet have this assurance, two possibilities exist:

1. You don’t yet know Jesus Christ because you haven’t put your faith in him for your salvation. Putting your faith in Christ for your salvation entails:

a. Admitting to God your sinfulness and your need for salvation to save you from God’s just punishment toward sin (Romans 6:23).

b. Belief in Jesus Christ as the savior provided for us by God and whose work on the cross and resurrection from the dead have satisfied the wrath of God and opened the way to God the Father for all of humanity (Hebrews 10:12).

c. Confessing, through prayer with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and asking him to give you everlasting life (Romans 10:9-13) as you call to him in this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, would you come into my life today and save me, a sinner. I admit my sin and that I deserve eternal separation from God. I believe that you, Jesus, are God’s Son who came to live a perfect life and die in my place. Jesus, I trust the work you did for me on the cross to satisfy God’s wrath toward sin, and I believe you have been raised from the dead. I confess my need for you and call on you for my salvation. Please come into my life and save me today, I pray, in Jesus’ name.”

2. The second reason you may not have this assurance and conviction is that you aren’t yet built up in faith as you should be. Before we go, pray this prayer with me:

“Lord Jesus, build my faith so that I know that I know you. Help me understand you and your ways more so that I too, possess the assurance of saving faith. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Faith is not wishful thinking; it is a settled confidence in the promises of God and a deep conviction about His unseen reality. Steve’s testimony reminds us that assurance in Christ gives us courage to face suffering, and conviction about the resurrection keeps our hope anchored beyond this life. Today, ask yourself: Do I live with that kind of assurance and conviction? If not, take a step of faith—whether by surrendering your life to Christ for the first time, or by choosing to trust Him again in the place you’re most tempted to give up.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You that my faith is not built on feelings or circumstances but on Your unshakable promises. Give me assurance that my eternity is secure in You and deepen my conviction that what I cannot see is more real than what I can. Strengthen me today to live with confidence, courage, and hope, trusting that You are faithful and true. In Jesus’ name, Amen.