In this day and age, there is much that tests our faith. We live in a world where godlessness bombards us every minute of every day. The media blasts 24-7, and if you were to listen to the world, the news media, the politicians, there is very little that can boost your faith in God. The immorality that has become common place from the types of television programming to commercials to what is being taught in pubic schools detracts from the building blocks of faith in God. There are many replacements for faith and the prophets of society remind us every day, every minute that it is man, not God, who defines science, who delivers aid, who is responsible for all things good. It’s time to take inventory of our faith.
Hebrews Chapter 11 is called the “Faith Chapter.” But what frames our faith? Looking at Hebrews 10:32-35 gives us insight. “Partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. Therefore, do not throw away your boldness (courage) which has a great reward.” First Century Christians faced even worse from the world than we do today. The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to not shrink back and have courage and confidence through faith that we will attain our eternal reward. Then there is Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
It is through faith, trusting in God, that the ancient elders receive what they did not see. We are all recipients of what we have not seen. For example, we did not see the creation of the universe, and it is explained by man’s science only in theories. But by faith we know the universe we live in was created from the spoken word of God. Similar is the faith of the Biblical forefathers. Abraham was promised he would be a great nation. He didn’t see it in his lifetime, but through his faith he became the father of the great nation. By faith, Moses led the children of Israel out of captivity and to the precipice of the promised land, which he saw from afar, but did not enter. In Hebrews 11:24-29, Moses is mentioned among the great in the “Hall of Faith.” Moses is an example of being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.
Moses saw glimpses into the promise, even of Christ, yet like the others listed in the passage, he did not receive in his earthly time what had been promised because God had a better plan–that they all would be brought to the goal with us through Christ (Hebrews 11:39-40). How wonderful for us to come to faith in Christ as well as be grafted into the “community of Jacob (Deuteronomy 33:4).” As evidenced by Hebrews 12:1-2 of the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us that we lay aside every impediment and run with endurance the race set before us, looking onto Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. A powerful lesson for us in the face of life’s many disappointments and heartaches. Take inventory of your faith. Keep your courage in these times that through faith you will attain your reward.
