Daily Bread 2011 - Hebrews 11
By Faith
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.3 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.4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 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.
What Does This Mean?
This is the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter. First, we have probably the best definition of faith in the bible. According to the author Hebrews, “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” I like the word “confidence” for faith, because it gives the idea that you are confident in whom you believe. We can be confident of the hope we have in Christ, because of what He has done for us. So, as we act in faith we have confidence that Jesus has gone before us and goes with us.
We also see that faith is not just a New Testament concept. The many examples show us those who trusted in God by faith, acted on their faith and walked in confidence that God would provide as they stepped out. As you look through examples, notice in each one how the person has to act on God’s promises. And as the passage concludes, “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. Meaning since faith is an act of trust and confidence in God, it pleases God when we trust that He will provide as He has promised.
What Does This Mean For Us?
What I think this means is that when we act in faith, it isn’t a blind faith. As we act in faith, we are trusting in the promises of God. And we follow the example of those who have gone before us who have acted in faith. And finally, we can act knowing that it gives God great pleasure when we act in faith because it shows our trust in Him!
Where is God calling you to step out in faith? Likely it will be in an area where God is calling you to trust in Him and be sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Faith always calls us to trust in God’s promises, and act in confidence knowing that God will provide. Of course, the biggest challenges to our faith are when we step out in faith and don’t see immediate results. Or when things happen to us that make no sense, and we ask why. These are the two sides of the coin as our faith is tested. As we exercise faith and see time and time again God coming through, our confidence builds and our faith gets stronger for the next trial that comes our way. Our Savior gives us the greatest example of faith when he goes to the cross trusting that His heavenly Father would deliver him from death and raise him up to eternal life.
Heavenly Father we thank you for the faith that caused us to trust in You and in Your Son. May that same faith guide us each day as we face the challenges in our lives that cause us to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.3 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.4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 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.
What Does This Mean?
This is the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter. First, we have probably the best definition of faith in the bible. According to the author Hebrews, “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” I like the word “confidence” for faith, because it gives the idea that you are confident in whom you believe. We can be confident of the hope we have in Christ, because of what He has done for us. So, as we act in faith we have confidence that Jesus has gone before us and goes with us.
We also see that faith is not just a New Testament concept. The many examples show us those who trusted in God by faith, acted on their faith and walked in confidence that God would provide as they stepped out. As you look through examples, notice in each one how the person has to act on God’s promises. And as the passage concludes, “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. Meaning since faith is an act of trust and confidence in God, it pleases God when we trust that He will provide as He has promised.
What Does This Mean For Us?
What I think this means is that when we act in faith, it isn’t a blind faith. As we act in faith, we are trusting in the promises of God. And we follow the example of those who have gone before us who have acted in faith. And finally, we can act knowing that it gives God great pleasure when we act in faith because it shows our trust in Him!
Where is God calling you to step out in faith? Likely it will be in an area where God is calling you to trust in Him and be sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Faith always calls us to trust in God’s promises, and act in confidence knowing that God will provide. Of course, the biggest challenges to our faith are when we step out in faith and don’t see immediate results. Or when things happen to us that make no sense, and we ask why. These are the two sides of the coin as our faith is tested. As we exercise faith and see time and time again God coming through, our confidence builds and our faith gets stronger for the next trial that comes our way. Our Savior gives us the greatest example of faith when he goes to the cross trusting that His heavenly Father would deliver him from death and raise him up to eternal life.
Heavenly Father we thank you for the faith that caused us to trust in You and in Your Son. May that same faith guide us each day as we face the challenges in our lives that cause us to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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