It’s interesting that most often the context in which “faith” is used is when something is desired. Used in this manner, “faith” is spoken of as something that gets you something such as out of trouble, healed of illness, money enough to obtain something needed or wanted…something akin to an “agent” that makes something attainable which we can’t have at the moment.

But here, the writer of Hebrews begins with the assertion that the work of faith is to gain approval. Faith is not portrayed as an agent of changing circumstances in my favor, but changing me into someone approved by God the Father.

Perhaps when I’m earnestly invoking “faith” to believe that God will change my circumstances or provide a “thing”—and He answers with circumstances that change my heart and behavior—the prayer is answered by HIS standards, and not mine; and in so doing provides me the opportunity to be “approved” instead of merely “enriched.”_††_†

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