Wow! Doesn’t the ‘honor roll of faith’ give your faith a kick in the pants! I read these stories individually and tell myself, wow, Moses had so much faith to do what he did. Noah built an ARK for 100 years and everyone laughed at him, this guy must have A LOT of faith. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego thrown into the furnace and live because of their faith!
When I read Hebrews 11 it really strikes me, not with one or two stories of faith, but shows only a few of the many stories of the past and how faithful they were. These guys are the example of what faith is, being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Everyone of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 are commended for their faith, and by faith God rewarded them. After thinking about this, God doesn’t or didn’t promise much, but commends us for our faith. When God commends us it’s obvious that he rewards us, especially by His grace. The ultimate promise that He gave was Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice so together everything would be perfect.
What does faith mean to me? I think faith goes deeper then believing what you cannot see. To me it’s also obedience! Through obedience God rewarded these people in every way they hoped. They were certain, with that certainty they carried out what they must, they obeyed what they believed God told them to do – Faith.
Am I faithful? I’d defiantly like to think so, but am I really? Am I obeying what God commands me to do? Am I being commended by God for the things I do?
LORD, you know my heart and where I stand with you. You know and others witness I’m not always obedient. If I’m truly faithful would I not carry out or commands. You show me great examples throughout the bible and then in clumps! I get it, faith is more than just believing in you and what you did on the cross, we’re called to obey, I don’t think I’m faithful if I do not obey what is said right before me. Thank you for showing me grace when you do commend me, thank you for showing others grace when they most need it most, as we know even without faithfulness you still show your love. By your word, help me to be better. Amen