“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3)
Simply stated: Believing that God created the world involves faith. God is not visible, yet He created all that we see. Put another way, By faith we know that all we see was created by a God who we have not seen.
The Hebrew believers being written to in this letter were about to face severe persecution for their faith. Emperor Nero and others would carry out horrific torture and rampage against Christians. Many Christians were going to suffer, lose their businesses, and many would lose their lives. The writer of Hebrews is preparing them for what is ahead, he wants to encourage them to live their profession of faith in Christ when the trials came.
Faith gives me confidence that what I have placed my hope in (God & thus His promises) will come to pass (1). The ancients were commended for living by that faith (2). Faith is confidence in God’s promises and shows that we trust His character. (3)
From vs 4-38 the writer then gives the Hebrew believers examples of those who went before them and lived by faith in the midst of trials.