Daily Devotional in Hebrews 11

Beginning in Hebrews 10:38 and continuing throughout this chapter, Paul writes about another important spiritual concept that the Hebrews needed to understand. He wrote about faith. This concept was also prevalent throughout Old Testament times, and should also have been recognized by the Hebrews.

Verse one gives the best definition of what faith really is: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith is what one has when he is convinced that, without sight or visual proof, what he is desiring will come to fruition. Those with faith know what they require will happen! The expectation is so great that it is almost “substance”.

Much of the chapter gives highlights from the lives of believers the Hebrews would have
known, and how faith was the driving force behind what they accomplished. Over nineteen Old Testament saints were cited in “God’s Hall of Faith” for their great faith in their mighty God. Three examples of the faith of Abraham (vss. 8, 9, 17), four from Moses (vss. 24, 27-29) were in the list, as were those of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and many others.

Not only were some of the accomplishments of noted saints specifically mentioned, but also general references to other heroic steps of faith by others. “Prophets” in general were cited for their faith (vs. 32). Also, unnamed heroes of the faith that would not move from righteousness, but hung onto their faith even unto their death were also listed in verses 33-37. Many of the unnamed may have been known by those Paul wrote to; as many Christians were facing persecution and still would not waiver in their faith, even at the cost of their lives.

Faith is the crucial thread that runs from the earliest believers, throughout the Old and New Testaments, and even today. We can do all kinds of things that we may think please God. Some are even convinced that their good intentions and works are enough to please Him. Without faith, verse six says, “… it is impossible to please him…” The one thing that all believers must have if they want to please God, is to have uncompromising, unwavering, unrelenting faith in their heavenly Father — whatever He requires of them!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Today’s Thought: 
“Faith is firm persuasion and expectation, knowing that God will perform all that He has promised to the believer in Christ; and this persuasion is so strong and complete that it assures the believer of possession, even now, of those things for which he exercises faith … Faith does not look to God with a cold heart and clouded thoughts concerning things to come.” — Oliver B. Greene

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 ¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 ¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.