Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

People have in days past asked me to prove there is this God I worship. I tell them that I cannot and that I will not prove anything concerning God.

However, you can discover proof for yourselves independent of anything I might say or do. In many ways it is a scientific experiment. A substance is quantitative. Evidence is qualitative.

In order to receive and examine the result of this scientific experiment, one needs to use the elements that are called out that are directly related to the subject matter under testing.

The only two matters listed in Hebrews 11:1 are faith and hope. This faith and hope have to be related to the subject under examination, God.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

In order to obtain faith to test faith, one must obtain it from the Word of God. This is not faith as the world knows it. It must be faith from God.

Romans 12:3d God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Everyone has a measure of faith. Do you recognize the faith that is to be examined? Can you hear it? Do you read the Word of God? If not, how do you expect to discover and test this faith from God? You cannot prove God without it.

Isaiah 32:1.3-4 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.

Those who are subjects of the King will have eyes to see and ears to hear. Notice that the heart of the rash will understand. You will gain an understanding heart.

Psalm 118:5  I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

Looking at distress as being the opposite of a large place, because the Lord sets us in a large place, then what is to be learned?

I think narrow, similar to narrow is the way to salvation. Narrow in this case is a limited choice, difficulty turning, if not impossible. All you have is what lies ahead. In this situation your vision of what lies ahead is also limited, there seems to be no good outcome.

Distress implies dread, a fear of what the end result might become. There is also one more aspect which narrow point out, no room for anyone else, a loneliness. Here at this point we should cry out to the Lord who never leaves us nor forsakes us.

Setting us in a large place now gives room for others, comfort, support, fellowship, and an end to loneliness. Yes it is comforting to have the Lord close in times of stress but setting you in a large place is His way also.

A call, a visit, a note, a text and a prayer are signs that the Lord is working in your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to quell those fearful emotions and loneliness.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, you are the good thing, loving fellowship, that works good. You are the extension of love and grace which has been planted in your heart with purpose.

Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.