12/13/2025
"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that
something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty
that what we hope for is waiting for us, even
though we cannot see it up ahead."
Hebrews 11:1
God always gives us what we need at just the right time. Many times I have to giggle, because His ways of ensuring I'm listening are so insightful. Sometimes I wonder why I worry about things at all, because simple faith and trust in the One who holds me in the palm of His hand, His righteous right hand, is for certain. Today when I opened my Bible to the passage of scripture for today I found myself in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, better known as the faith chapter. Reading about the Old Testament saints in the hall of faith fame reawakened my heart to the faithfulness of our God who calls us to walk in obedience, even if we don't know where the road is leading. People may find that irresponsible and a bit foolish in our practical world we live in. It certainly does not seem to be the road to success in the modern man's opinion, but I don't follow the counsel of the world. That in itself frustrates many people who are in opposition to those who choose to walk as I do.
My life is very simple, and I really don't ask for much or expect anything other than respect and kindness. Many times I have been shown neither, but my response towards others is merciful, kind, and forgiving. As I grow older and walk more closely to our Lord, my compassion grows, and I can see what Jesus meant when He told Abba to "forgive them because they don't know what they're doing." People are so blinded by the chaos, confusion, and outright lies and ugliness in our world today. I choose not to walk in that world. As a follower of Jesus Christ I am only passing through, as my eternal citizenship is in heaven, but while I am here, I occupy and live my life as unto the LORD. If I can walk following the example of the faithful saints of Hebrews chapter eleven, then my life will be full and productive and bring honor to my God and King. That's why I'm here!
In this passage of scripture the writer first mentions Abel, who walked in faith through obedience to God in bringing a suitable sacrifice to the Lord, and God accepted His gift. His brother Cain's sacrifice was not done as God commanded, hence his gift was not acceptable to the Lord, and Abel died from Cain's intense jealousy. Enoch trusted God too, and because of his walk of faith, God took him away one day to live with Him in heaven. That's quite a transfer! How I wish my faith in God could be like that. He was the first saint to be taken to heaven until Elijah was taken by a chariot.
Noah listened to God's warning concerning sinful man and the destruction of the world by flooding when the earth had never seen rain. But, in faith Noah built the first boat, an ark that took a hundred years to build while he tried to witness to the people. Only his family and the animals were spared, but imagine the faith it took to listen to people mock him for that long, then they suffered the curse of death from unbelief and sin. Noah and his family were then tasked with beginning all over and re-populating the world. Of course, the sinful nature still resided within man, as it will continue until the day Jesus returns to take His faithful followers home. But Noah was considered faithful, even though his son brought further sin and hatred into the land through a curse on his son, Canaan. We are witnessing the results of that sin still today.
Abraham was chosen by God to be the father to his chosen people before he even had a son! Sarah, his wife, was barren, and they were both advanced in age, yet God spoke, Abraham believed and by faith in God, He became the father of Isaac, who was the father of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. Jacob became the leader of the chosen people, and through his sons the twelve tribes of Israel were born. Even though Abraham and Sarah became impatient in waiting for the fulfillment of the promise of a son, and they decided to "help" God resulting in the birth of Ishmael, God still considered them faithful. Issac was the promised son of Abraham, born through Sarah. God had Abraham offer up his only son, Isaac as a sacrifice to Him, but God stopped him, as He was merely testing Abraham, and somehow Abraham had faith that God would supply the sacrifice. This was a foreshadowing of God offering His only begotten Son as the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. The perfect Passover Lamb who freely gave His life to ransom ours from sin and death and hell. From the foundation of the world Christ freely gave Himself for us. God is all knowing (Omniscient), always present (Omnipresent), and all powerful (Omnipotent). Nothing is a surprise to Him. And He changes not.
Jacob went through his own set of troubles, but his faithfulness, as I mentioned, is duly-noted in scripture as faithful. Then there's Moses, who felt that he was not the right man for the job when God called him into service to rescue His people from Pharaoh. We all know how the story goes. The scripture continues with the names of others, stating that if all who were faithful to God were listed that it would take too long to relate. Can you imagine the long list that would follow? One day I hope to hear all the stories told and retold, and we will have adequate time to listen and rejoice! An eternity!
I want my life to be counted as faithful to the Lord. I owe Him my life, and I am grateful more and more as each day goes by. I hope that my testimony shared personally, on what I post and comment on Facebook or what I write in my blogs as my testimony will lead others to know the Christ I love, the One who died for all, and who wants to spend eternity in fellowship with those who choose to follow Him. I cannot explain the depth of love and compassion He has given me for all people, even those who are not following Him. I pray for all to come to know Him, the incredible richness of His glory, but sadly, there will be those who choose to walk away. This saddens me, because it breaks His heart more than it ever could mine.
I pray that we each will take the time He has given us as sojourners in this land to use it to bring glory and honor to His Name. There is no better life, no better service but to live for Christ, even if it means death, as He died for us. To some this is a hard saying, but I live to see His face, the One who gave everything for me. As He did for you. May we bring glory, honor and praise to His Great Name!
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