Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen… 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. Hebrews 11:1-3,6
I find it interesting that this year we are studying Hebrews with the teens and young adults at TCBS. It just so happened that two weeks ago we discussed the first half of chapter 11, and obviously haven’t met since.
Perhaps instead of studying it together we are to live it out!
Faith – “Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.”
Faith requires an object.
The object of my faith is revealed by my actions.
Hebrews 11 is filled with story after story of those whose actions proved who their faith was in.
Each story reveals a choice, a test, that required a response.
They faced things they didn’t understand…
Things that they had never seen before…
Things that required they let go of the very things God had given them…
Things that required courage in the face of fear…
Things that required letting go of the things they liked…
Things that went beyond what they could ever think or imagine!
They didn’t see the big picture, the end from the beginning, the purpose of the situation.
All they saw was the impossible situation in front of them and they had a choice to believe in what God said, or to believe in what they saw.
They had a hope that went beyond what they could see!
And because they chose to forsake their own understanding and not trust in themselves, but chose instead to put their hope in God and to live by faith in Him and in what He said, they are listed in this “Hall of Faith.”
All of these people are showcased as those who pleased God and have a good reputation because what they did showed how great God, the object of their faith, really is!
Their acts of faith made God look good!
I believe this season is one which requires great faith. This faith chapter can be inspiration to face the unknown and fearful times with hope that looks beyond what I see, and consider the greatness of my God.
Will I choose to make God look Good?
By faith, Wilma…
