All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ~Hebrews 11:13
What is faith? A simple answer is “believing in something.” I love the poetic way Hebrews 11:1 says it: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We’ve weakened the word “hope” in our language: ”I hope it doesn’t rain” or “I hope I can finish my day’s work.” Our hope in Jesus is bit stronger than that. But even in our understanding of hope, faith is the absolute, unwavering assurance of that hope.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews is the faith chapter. We spent the summer walking through the Patriarchs in Genesis (click here for the blog posts from that series), and most of the names given here are from Genesis, though by the end of this chapter, the author is almost lamenting that he doesn’t have time to discuss the remaining heroes of the Old Testament.
Did any of these men (and women – Hebrews 11:35) see the results of their faith while here on earth? God promised Abraham that he’d have descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his old age. God promised Moses a safe passage out followed by a peaceful time in the Promised Land. The list of things God’s people endured for His sake in Hebrews 11:32-38 is absolutely amazing. God doesn’t promise us that our best life is now. In fact, those who made the Faith Honor Roll lived in a hellish existence on earth; how else would you describe a unjust time-out in the lions’ den, or enduring mockings, scourgings, chains, and imprisonment? Verse 37 says they were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, destitute, and afflicted. This is not “your best life now,” but this is the life God says is worthy of the title “men of whom the world was not worthy” (verse 38).
They had faith in God. They knew, like Paul says in Romans 8:18, that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” They knew this world was not their home. And they were content with that.
Can the same be said of you? Regardless of your age – Abraham and Sarah were 75 and 65 when God called them – would you be willing to let go of your comfort and follow God anywhere? That’s not to say that God is calling you go to physically go somewhere; most of the people on the faith list didn’t actually pick up and move (Abraham and Moses, but the rest stayed close to home). But are you willing to do whatever God calls you to do? None of these people sought out dangerous situations, but they went willingly, knowing that there was a risk involved.
What are you willing to risk for the sake of Jesus? We’re told in Matthew 28 that we’re all to go and make disciples (The Great Commission). That commandment is for everyone, not just church leaders. We’re all to go and spread the word of Jesus’ love and salvation. That can mean a conversation with your co-workers and neighbors, or simply a re-commitment to attending church regularly so you can learn better how to do that. We all play a part. Following God can be risky. Are you willing to risk that kind of faith, with the assurance and conviction that God is God and He loves you?