Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

.... the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.... But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:1, 6). Faith is not, as the little boy would have it, believing what you know is not true! True faith has substance, something you can have confidence in. This faith in the God of the Bible  touches us body,  soul and spirit. It touches the intellect, for  “By faith we understand that the worlds were created by the word of God” (verse 3). The atheist also has a kind of faith (faith in “not God”). But there's no substance to it, for in the end he believes that in the beginning nothing created everything that is out of nothing!

Pleasing God (verse 6) is the aim of all religion. In Christianity faith  accomplishes this. This faith (as opposed to other faiths) has substance not only in believing His existence,  but also having believed (the basis of salvation), it seeks to please Him  (verse 6 again).  This faith is not passive, it acts. It prepares an ark (verse 7),  it obeys when called to leave everything previously known (verse 8). This faith believes the promises, and lives life accord to them. In particular, it lives in the perspective that we are strangers and pilgrims here on earth, desiring, and looking for, a better world (verses 13, 14, 16).  The author is using the example of Abraham leaving his country and saying, that he could have gone back (verse 15).  Jesus gives us eternal life and no one can  snatch us  out of His hand  (John 10:38). But as the writer to the Hebrews keeps saying we can neglect our salvation, drift away, fall away,  draw back  etc., etc.  (2:1-3; 6:6; 10;39).  For Paul, part of  the fruit of faith is confidence that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” But it is also his motivation to make it his “aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:8, 9).

One of the evidences of maturity, is the ability to put off our powerful desires for instant gratification. It is about learning self control, part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). With regard to rewards, some of the promises of God are for the here and now. For example, if we continue in His Word the Son will set you free (John 8:31, 32, 36). This is here and now for sure! But ultimate freedom comes in eternity when we are taken out of the very presence of sin,  and when we will no longer even want to do it.  So then our rewords will also only find their true fulfillment in eternity, when the God of the person of faith will fulfill the rewards of His promises to those who diligently seek Him.

Father, even Your here and now promises are not usually instant.  And I sense Lord that part of this is Your desire that we diligently seek You.  Being the extravagant lover that You are, You desire that we be passionate lovers of Yourself. Indeed we only find You in the first place when we seek You with all of our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13).  Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness, grant us grace to be faithful diligent seekers of those who desire to please You in Jesus Name Amen