Hebrews 11:1-40 By Faith
We are given a GREAT list of witnesses to the power of faith. Our heritage of faith from the beginning until a portion of the promise was received.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (verse 1). From, “Let there be…” until the final curtain falls on this story, faith is what keeps us moving forward. It is what draws us to God. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (verse 6).
I can’t imagine life without faith. To me, there would be no purpose; no hope. Not every breath is a matter of faith but moving through it takes faith is something better than now. We see so much that could discourage us every day but yet we move on with hope. Why? Because we see the evidence of something better to come. We see the promises God has already fulfilled and can hold fast to the ones to come.
Does this mean that everything I want or pray for WILL happen if I have enough faith? No. We live in a fallen world and bad things happen, even to good people. We are also each appointed to die. But how we go about our lives and even deaths speak of our final future. And, YES! There is life after death here.
It all boils down to where I put my trust. Do I put it in money to make my life here easier? Do I put it in my government to make people behave as they should? Do I put it in my fellow man expecting them all to “play fair” with each other? Or do I put it in the One who has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that He exists?
The heroes of the faith listed here were not perfect. Most, if not all, of them had times they didn’t act in faith. Many of them tried to “help” God out and made a mess of things by doing so. But they never lost faith in Who He was. Their faith wasn’t rooted only in the promise they received but in the One making the promise. ALL His promises are true because of His character. He cannot lie. He will not lie!
I want to be counted in that list of witnesses someday. I believe I am, as it pertains to the Book of Life but where do I fall on the rest of it? Am I living a life that shouts of His presence in it? Am I a testimony to His faithfulness? Am I holding onto His promises for me with both hands? Or am I just riding where the tide of life takes me? I pray it is the former rather than the latter, but regardless of my “faithfulness in faith” HE is faithful! If you ever wonder, look at Sarah’s story. Up until the moment she conceived, she was laughing at God’s promises. Yet He still kept His promise to her.
Thank You Father that You are faithful even when I’m not. You never go back on Your promises. You never try and trick me with “bait and switch” tactics. What You say I can, and do, believe. I’m holding onto Your promises for my children Lord. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). I won’t laugh like Sarah did. I’ll hold fast instead. I’ll also hold fast to the fact that it is not MY faith that makes YOUR promises true but Your character. I can trust You with my children. Thank You for that Father. Thank You for this list of witnesses; especially that they were not all perfect in their faith.
