Faith is confidence in what we hope for. Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We’re in the so called Hall of Faith today. Chapter eleven with just a few verses from Chapter 12 to finish this chapter. It’ll make sense when we get there. Faith, have faith.
I’m in the NIV so grab yours or go here and get something to write with and on too. Also grab a favorite cup of something and get settled in to this absolutely wonderful chapter.
First, let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for getting us to this point. Thank You for the many, many references in this chapter of stories and people we should know about. Thank You for leading us and for using my head and my hands to write what You want explained or expanded in this selection of verses. All the glory is Yours. Amen.
Read Hebrews 11:1-2
Faith in Action
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. What a marvelous definition. Is there confidence in the hope you have? Are you absolutely assured He will do everything He has said He will do?
This faith is what the ancients were commended for. And dear one, faith is what you will be commended for as well. Nothing else matters. Just faith.
This faith you need is the same faith they had, Peter says so in 1 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
Read Hebrews 11:3
Do you understand?
Read Hebrews 11:4
Death is only a doorway for those with faith. Even though he died, Able lives and therefore speaks.
Read Hebrews 11:5-6
The story of Enoch is in Genesis 5:18-24
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Believe.
And through that faith, God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Read Hebrews 11:7-10
Faith makes you want to obey. Faith makes you want to do what God tells you to do.
Read Hebrews 11:11
Why? She considered Him Faithful who had made the promise. Forever God is faithful.
Read Hebrews 11:12
See how God fulfills promises if you live by faith? Really even if you don’t, but oh how good they are if you do. He is forever Faithful.
Read Hebrews 11:13-16
The kingdom of light will come. Live by faith and God will prepare a place for you.
Read Hebrews 11:17-19
Testing happens. Every day Jesus tells me at the end of the day something I need to focus on for the next day, Him, sure, but also behavior wise. Above all, Him, but still, He’s teaching me every night how to see all of life right now. And yes, I could share story after story of tests in my past. You will get the same test until you pass. He is always Faithful. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6)
Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead. Long before it had ever happened. Reason that yourself. God has and can still raise the dead. Every single day multiple times a day, over and over He can raise the dead.
Read Hebrews 11:20-22
If it’s been a while since you read the story of Jacob and Joseph it’s quite a story. Many times the younger ones receive the main blessing. Joseph reveals incredible faith. The kind that says God can work good out of everything that happens to you.
Read Hebrews 11:23-29
Faith is more important than the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Disgrace for Christ of greater value than the treasures of the world. Jesus told it in Matthew 5:10-12.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
It’s not denying fear, it’s persevering despite the fear.
Read Hebrews 11:30-31
Rahab had faith. Even creation displays the existence of God. Everyone can know Him. Everyone can believe because of all He’s done for us in the world around us.
Read Hebrews 11:32-38 slowly.
How many of those names brought stories to your mind? Faith can persevere. That’s the point of this chapter. Faith. You are not alone when you have faith. He is always with You.
Read Hebrews 11:39-40
That something better? Jesus. That’s why we’re reading the first 3 verses of Chapter 12 too. So before you go,
Read Hebrews 12:1-3.
Fix your eyes on Him. Live in and by faith so you will not grow weary and lose heart. There is Joy set before you too. The Joy of eternal life in Him.
Thank You, Lord Jesus for these words, this wonder, this reminder of the many benefits of faith. Thank You for holding onto all of us with faith and for working on and in us too. In Your holy and precious Name, amen.