Hebrews chapter 11 is all about faith, and from the very beginning of the world God’s servants have always been marked by the magnitude of their faith. As Matthew Henry’s commentary points out on the chapter, whatever the object of one’s hope is, there also lies the object of their faith. Believers in Jesus have an unwavering conviction that God is dependable to come good on all His promises. Faith convinces the mind to grasp what the human eye cannot yet see. Faith is what motivates people to godly obedience, remarkable acts of service to the Kingdom of God, and also perseverance in times of suffering.
Hebrews 11 is known in Christian circles as the “Hall of Faith” or the “Hall of Fame” for those who exemplified genuine faith in God. From Abel to Noah (vs. 4-7) to Abraham and his descendants (vs. 8-19) to Jacob, Moses, the Israelites, and Rahab (vs. 20-31) to other Old Testament believers (vs. 32-38), the chapter is replete with example after example of people who embodied the kind of faith that we are to emulate.
Like the people listed in this chapter, and many others whose names could also fittingly find themselves on the roll, we are all called to possess such faith. We’re all called to leave the comforts and trappings of our safety nets, and walk through life with the awareness that God is in control and we are to trust Him completely. One of the signs of a true believer is a desire for their heavenly inheritance; a yearning to be in communion with their Creator and Savior, and to spend all of eternity with Him. The stronger our faith is, the more fervent those desires become.
Perhaps one of the greatest accounts of faith in action is the offering up of Isaac by his father, Abraham. (Genesis 22) In the face of such trial, Abraham’s faith stood strong. And we too, when confronted with opportunities to demonstrate faith, must stare down our doubts and fears as Abraham did by trusting in the power of Almighty God!
How have we responded when called to much lesser acts of self denial than was asked of Abraham? Have we done what was called for, trusting that God had our best interest in mind and would make everything right? Have we relied on the truth that God is always working for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes? (Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
28 We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. o God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him: Or “All things work for the good of everyone who loves God” or “God's Spirit always works for the good of everyone who loves God.” They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,
WP-Bible plugin) Are we able to take it a step further and thank God for our trials even while we’re in the midst of them? (James 1:2-4James 1:2-4
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Faith and Wisdom
2 Ws My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.
3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
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The believers faith endures ’til the end, and even in death then gives them victory over death. Faith emboldens us to take up the cause of Christ and to do the good works that He has for us. Faith reminds us that God can easily subdue even the most powerful of kings and nations who would set themselves against Him. By faith we know that nothing can oppose the LORD!
Listen to how Matthew Henry finishes out his commentary on this chapter:
The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them. Though the righteous and the worldlings widely differ in their judgment, they agree in this, it is not fit that good men should have their rest in this world. Therefore God receives them out of it. The apostle tells the Hebrews, that God had provided some better things for them, therefore they might be sure that he expected as good things from them. As our advantages, with the better things God has provided for us, are so much beyond theirs, so should our obedience of faith, patience of hope, and labour of love, be greater. And unless we get true faith as these believers had, they will rise up to condemn us at the last day. Let us then pray continually for the increase of our faith, that we may follow these bright examples, and be, with them, at length made perfect in holiness and happiness, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father for evermore.
How’s your faith looking these days? At the end of your life, would you like your name to be added to the “Hall of Faith?”
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