seeing the invisible

Hebrews 11:1-3

The author defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. The author will support this definition by reciting those things for which the ancients were commended. The author gives the first example in verse 3: we haven't seen the universe spoken into existence by God but by faith we are certain that this is how the universe came into existence. Now, there is still lots of room for interpretation in the phrase "the universe was formed at God's command."
Even in the formation of the universe the author expands the theme of visible and invisible: what we see was made from what was unseeable (yep, made that word up!). It's a theme that is going to be perpetuated through this chapter: people acting on what was unseen. The author's point is to move the audience to the same kind of faith when facing the situations they are currently in: it might not seem like God is intervening but faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see so the audience can have faith that God is at work to bring about their ultimate redemption, to establish his kingdom in the hearts of humans and, eventually, on earth and that he is present with them in the midst of their severe persecution.
Some of the more ancient traditions and, I think, Hebrew teaching describes God as one who cannot be known. There is truth to that. God is indefinable by scientific standards. He cannot be measured or quantified. While some have seen something of his glory and some have heard him speak, I have never touched, smelt, tasted, heard, or seen God. I think he refuses to reveal himself to me according to any of my senses because he knows that I would then define him by and limit him to that experience and as soon as I do that, I have created God according to my image.
The obvious action plan for me would be to say that I was going to have more faith. However, I know that I can't manufacture faith on my own. I need God to give me the ability to even trust. How often I've prayed the prayer of Thomas: Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief.