Hebrews 11:17-29
Thursday, 3 December 2020
“…for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” -Hebrews 11:27
Faith is a household name for the Christian! Hebrews 11:6 [NLT] says, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Faith being the strong tenet on which Christianity is built is discussed in detail in Hebrews 11 citing the many examples of the heroes of faith.
In our reading today we will look into four heroes of faith and the ingredient of faith etched in each of them:
1. Abraham: Faith that Believes the Impossible
Abraham had to believe the impossible that God would raise up his only son Isaac from death when he put him on the altar of sacrifice! It had taken faith to believe that God would give him a son in his old age and it called for greater faith now to lay his son on the altar. It says in Romans 4:3: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Sometimes it calls for faith to believe that the God of the Impossible can intervene in the toughest situations of life.
2. Jacob: Faith that Expects the Inconceivable
Jacob before his departure from this world, foresaw what each of his children would become— by faith he prophesied to them and blessed them foreseeing what they could not conceive in their minds. Through the tough times of Jacob’s life, he learnt to depend and trust God- his deep faith in God helped him foresee what his sons could not see then. We too can exercise our faith to see our children as God sees them and pronounce blessings on them.
3. Joseph: Faith that Hopes beyond the Imminent
Joseph spent the major part of his life in Egypt, yet he did not belong there. He gave instructions to his bothers that his bones be carried back to their land when they would go from there. Although his people were well settled there, he knew deep down they would go back to their land one day. Hence his hopes lay not in the Imminent but what was to come! Joseph’s inner eyes of faith saw his people resettled in their homeland. Faith helps us look beyond the present as we trust a God who is already there in our future!
4. Moses: Faith that Sees the Invisible
Moses’ parents themselves exhibited strong faith in God’s plan for this special child. And when he grew up, Moses by faith chose to identify with his people than enjoy the passing pleasures of Egypt. Ultimately God trained Him for the greater task of delivering His people. It’s the invincible faith of Moses in God that saw the Israelites victorious through trying situations they faced—from the time of the announcement of departure from Egypt until seeing the Promised Land. Faith’s eyes see the Invisible God in control of even in the dark days of life so that you can endure! Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith
Dear friend, have you had the faith to trust in a God who was and is and always will be? If not make that your first step of faith today! If you are unable to make out any sense of your life as you struggle through tough times, would you rise up in your faith as these heroes did in seeing Him who is invisible, believing He is working in ways you cannot see and will bring you out victoriously?
To Act on: Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. -Hebrews 12:2 [NLV]
Listen: 'I walk by Faith'