Hebrews 11:1-16
Faith is trust in God
‘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’ (vv.1–2, MSG).
What does this faith look like in practice?
Faith leads to understanding
‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible’ (v.3). St Augustine pointed out, ‘Faith is the first step to understanding; understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.’
Faith pleases God
Enoch pleased God. As a result, he ‘skipped death completely’ (v.5, MSG). The writer goes on to explain, ‘It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him’ (v.6, MSG).
Faith leads to intimacy with God
‘By faith, 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... As a result, Noah became intimate with God’ (v.7, MSG).
Faith means saying ‘Yes’ to God
‘By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going’ (v.8, MSG). True faith commits us to obedience.
Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans at the height of its prosperity (2006–1950 BC). He heard God’s call and ‘obeyed and went’ (v.8). He did not ‘know where he was going’ (v.8). But he knew with whom he was going. His faith brought blessing to him, his family, his nation and to you and me.
He trusted God even when the evidence pointed in the opposite direction. Abraham’s one great disappointment was that his wife couldn’t have children to continue the long family line (Genesis 11). We read that Abraham’s family was ‘as good as dead’ (Hebrews 11:12).
Abraham believed God (see Romans 4). It was not that he never had any doubts. In fact, he got fed up with waiting and tried to fulfil God’s promises by human means. Thankfully, God does not judge us on the basis of our lapses, failures or mess-ups. He saw Abraham’s settled attitude of faith (Romans 4:3, 18).
Faith sees beyond this life
Abraham took a long-term view. We live in an ‘instant’ culture. Everything is about instant satisfaction. Abraham was in it for the long haul. He was ‘a stranger in a foreign country’ (Hebrews 11:9). He lived in tents. Yet he knew where God had called him.
He did not look back to what he had left behind through his step of faith. Rather, ‘he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God’ (v.10).
Abel’s faith also had a lasting impact: ‘… by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead’ (v.4).
The writer concludes: ‘Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing... You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them’ (vv.13,16, MSG).
Lord, I want to please you today. I earnestly seek you.