Hebrews 11:1-31

Hebrews 11:1-31 is a story entitled, 'Faith in What We Don't See'. Hebrews 1-2 (The Message) says that the fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.'

These are some people listed who lived by an act of faith -

Abel - brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain, it was what he believed, not what he brought that made the difference. Enoch - skipped death completely, 'they looked all over for him and couldn't find him because God had taken him.' Noah - built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see and acted on what he was told. Abraham - said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. And at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Sarah - was able to become pregnant because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. Isaac - reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau. Jacob - on his deathbed blessed each of Joseph's sons in turn, blessing them with God's blessing, not his own. Joseph - while dying, prophesied the exodus of Israel. Moses - parents hid him away for three months after his birth. Moses - when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. Israel - walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians drowned. Israelites - marched around the walls of Jericho for seven days and the walls fell flat. Rahab - a Jericho harlot, welcomed the spies and escaped the destruction that came on those who refused to trust God.

These people really had little knowledge of God and yet they had faith. They didn't know Jesus and yet they had faith. They trusted God with their lives, they knew he was in charge and had a plan for them.

I have all the facts on both God and Jesus right in front of me as I can read it in my Bible and I can hear it in my church. The people of the Old Testament didn't have the avenues I have and I'm thinking - was it easier for them to have trust and faith because of that? Knowing facts doesn't mean we believe and doesn't mean we have faith and trust. And just knowing the facts isn't pleasing to God, but living them is.

My pastor said, 'It's a matter of walking day by day through the desert God has me in and knowing that He has a purpose for it and He will never leave me.' Stuff I need to be reminded of daily.

Nancy