Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? Were you excited and anxious? You were fairly certain you would receive a gift or two, maybe a special treat. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 1-3 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character - He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises - He will do what He says He will do. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
The author of Hebrews walks us down memory lane as he recounts the Heroes of Faith that have gone before us.
Abel brought God a better offering than Cain.
Enoch pleased God and was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death.
Noah, in Holy fear, built an ark to save his family.
Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.
The list goes on and on… Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, and the prophets. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea. By faith the walls of Jericho fell. Weaknesses were turned to strengths. Miracles were happening all around. God’s children believed because of their faith in the One, True, Living God.
His people also endured the unspeakable: stoning, flogging, imprisonment, torture, chains, persecution, and death. Verses 39-40 say, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Even in this Faith Hall of Fame, these mighty Jewish heroes did not receive God’s total reward in their lifetime, because they died before Christ came. In God’s plan, they and the Christian believers (who also endure much testing) will be rewarded together.
Hebrews challenges us to remain faithful to Jesus despite persecution. Our trials might look different than they did over two thousand years ago, but the same faith is required of us. Verse 6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
The Book of Hebrews shows us that Jesus is the ultimate Revelation of God’s Love and Mercy. Jesus is the “radiance of God’s Glory” and “the exact imprint of God’s Nature.” Jesus’ sacrifice is the foundation for the New Covenant. In Jesus, we have found God’s very Word. We have hope for the New Creation. Jesus is our Eternal Priest and the perfect sacrifice. We can always place our faith in HIM!
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.