A Paradox of Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

“Substance” is that which we can hold in our hands; it is tangible physical matter, but it is also something of practical value, and perhaps moral value. Faith is substance; it is of practical value; it has worth.
This entire verse is a paradox; one wonders how faith can have substance and be felt or touched or held in the hands? When you think of it, there is no substance in hope--it is a mere longing for, or excitement for something. That is the paradox, but there is another in this verse also, and that is that something unseen can be evidence! “Evidence” is that with which we would use to prove a fact; again, one might ask, “How can that which is unseen be valid evidence?” I do not know the answer to that, but I do know that faith is the evidence of things unseen.
The Bible clearly states this mystery, and it is a fact, whether we understand it or not, because without faith, the Bible says, “it is impossible to please Him” (God). Hebrews 11 goes on to verify the wonderful acts of faith, and faithful men; it is a wonder-working faith that moves mountains, and yet, Nothing is impossible with God (Lk. 1:37)