“All these [Old Testament faith heroes] were still living by
faith when they died. They did not receive the things
promised; they only saw them and welcomed them
from a distance. And they admitted that they
were aliens and strangers on earth.”
(Hebrews 11:13)

Thoughts… I am always convicted when I read Hebrews 11—God’s Hall of Faith. In particular, this verse blows my own faith right out of the water. These great heroes of the faith were not heroes because of what they accomplished during their lifetime. They are not impressive because of the mighty promises that were fulfilled during their days on earth.

No—it was the fact that they kept trusting, kept obeying, kept walking resolutely forward in faith despite the fact God’s promises had not yet been fulfilled. You see, somewhere along the way, they came to understand that far better than any results they might experience in this life was the relationship they would enjoy with God in the next.

What was it about these great men and women of old—Abraham, Moses, Sarah, Ruth, Deborah, David, and so many others—that makes it possible to call them heroes of faith?

“They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their
God, for he has prepared a city for them.
(Hebrews 11:16)

They were motivated by a heavenly reward, not an earthly result. Now that is major league faith!

Do you, like me, wrap so much of your faith in God with what he will do for you in the here and now? Do you complain, does your faith weaken, do you get easily discouraged when God doesn’t do what you want the way you want when you want it? I do!

Here is the Hebrews 11 challenge for you and me today—and every day for the rest of our faith journey: When the promise is delayed, use that as a motivation to refocus your vision on the One who will fully reward you in the life to come.

“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.”
(Hebrews 11:39-40)

By the same kind of unconditional, unshakeable faith, let us join their ranks in God’s Great Hall of Faith!

Prayer… Not because of what you do, but because of who you are, I give you all of me—body, mind, spirit, hopes, dreams, plans, my unconditional love, my unwavering trust and my unshakeable faith.

One More Thing… “Faith takes God without any ifs.” — D.L. Moody