"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
A man and his wife were looking at a beautiful sunset, when she said, "How could anyone look at such a beautiful creation and not believe in God?" Her husband said, "I know what you mean. I guess they just don't want to believe." Faith does have a volitional aspect. Our hearts must be willing to believe. That's the reason God "works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). When God works faith in our hearts, then and only then do we understand. Simply stated, faith comes first, followed by understanding. "By faith we understand."
God is willing to give us understanding, but never through doubt and unbelief. The heart of unbelief will never understand the things of God, such as the glory of God in the creation. Unbelief chooses never to believe, with the evidence for a Creator right before its eyes. Unbelief defiantly states, "I see the sunset and don't believe in God." Faith says, "I believe in God and see His work in the sunset." Faith must come first, then understanding follows.
All of the mysteries and paradoxes of God's Word are understood by faith. Philosophy only gropes in the darkness of unbelief, trying to figure it out with limited human logic. Faith turns the light on to all of God's truth. Let us ask God to forgive our sins of doubt and unbelief, that we may believe and understand.
God, give us faith to understand things unseen.
