“What is faith?” asked the writer of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament.  Then he answered his own question, saying, “It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen.  It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead” (Hebrews 11:1, LB).  Two words express this reality.  The first word, translated “confident assurance,” is a very positive expression; but it is the second word which gives us a picture which enlightens us.