| Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the | | | | him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said |
| evidence of things not seen. | | | | with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet." Instantly, |
| -- Hebrews 11:1 | | | | the man jumped up to his feet and walked. |
| If faith is the substance of things hoped for, what, then | | | | But, read that again "perceiving that he had faith to be |
| is hope? I turned to Miriam Webster to see what the | | | | healed." So, he already had faith to be healed, Paul just |
| dictionary definition of the word "hope" is, and this is | | | | recognized it and called on the man to act on his faith. |
| what I found: | | | | So, it's entirely possible to have faith, not draw upon |
| 1: to cherish a desire with anticipation | | | | the anointing and not receive! |
| 2 archaic: trust | | | | Now, let's look at the reverse situation. Take a look at |
| OR | | | | Mark 5:25-34. This is the story of the woman with the |
| 1: to desire with expectation of obtainment | | | | issue of blood. She suffered with her condition for 12 |
| 2: to expect with confidence: trust | | | | years, going from one doctor to another, and still |
| - hope against hope: to hope without any basis for | | | | wasn't cured -- in fact, she was worse! But, she kept |
| expecting fulfillment | | | | hearing about a man named Jesus and the miracles |
| So, we see that hope involves anticipation and trust in | | | | that he performed. She built up faith in her heart |
| the desired outcome. It isn't the wishy-washy term that | | | | (remember, faith comes from hearing!). Risking death |
| it seems to have degenerated to in our common | | | | (she could have been stoned for going in public with |
| street language. Apparently, hope used to actually | | | | her illness), she came up behind Jesus and touched his |
| mean something! | | | | garment and was instantly healed. |
| When you hoped, you desired with expectation of | | | | Notice, Jesus didn't do anything here. He was simply |
| obtainment. It wasn't a "maybe it will, maybe it won't" | | | | the vessel for the anointing. He didn't lay hands on her. |
| situation. It was an expectation that had confidence | | | | He didn't pray over her. He didn't heal her. But he knew |
| and trust attached to it. Or as Creflo Dollar would say, | | | | instantly that the power, the anointing, had left him and |
| you "have your neck out" for something. | | | | that someone had been healed. When the woman had |
| The definition for hope against hope is to "hope without | | | | told him her story, he simply said: "Daughter, thy faith |
| any basis for expecting fulfillment". I would revise this to | | | | hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of |
| say without any natural basis for expecting fulfillment. | | | | thy plague." |
| But, we don't operate in the natural with faith and hope, | | | | Her expectation placed a demand on the anointing. |
| we operate in the supernatural. In that realm, our hope | | | | Think of it this way. The anointing is like electricity. Your |
| and our faith are the mediums of exchange. | | | | house is wired for electricity. You have lights installed. |
| So, is it possible to have faith and not see the | | | | You have an active account with the electric |
| manifestation of your desire? You bet! | | | | company. But, if you never flip the switch, you'll remain |
| Take a look at Acts 14:8-10. In this passage, a man | | | | in darkness. Faith works just like that. Just like you |
| who has been crippled since birth has been sitting daily | | | | have to place a demand on electricity -- you have to |
| at gates to the city. It is likely that Jesus himself | | | | flip the faith switch on in order to receive. Ask yourself |
| passed by this man many times throughout his ministry. | | | | today "What am I expecting?" Have you placed a |
| Yet, the man never received his healing. That is, until | | | | demand on the anointing? |
| one day when Paul came along. | | | | Many thanks to Pastor Tony Sparks who taught a |
| In verse 9 we are told that Paul "...stedfastly beholding | | | | magnificent lesson on this subject last Wednesday. |