Today you should read: Hebrews 11:1-22
When we read or hear about the characters in the Old Testament, we hear about all of the great things that they did for the Lord and how they are heroes in their personal stories. Often we will associate them with the good things that they did but forget the faith behind their actions. In fact, if that faith weren’t there, they wouldn’t be able to do any of the amazing stuff that we hear about on Sunday mornings or read about in our daily devotions. Today’s scripture in Hebrews points to the true hero behind their lives and it’s their faith in their upcoming savior messiah. Just look at the OT Characters on the list below:
- Abel
- Enoch
- Noah
- Abraham
- Sarah
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Joseph
Each one of them would not be able to do what they were known for (and mentioned in this chapter) without vs. 1 happening.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. | Hebrews 11:1 ESV
This means that on his own ability, Abel would’ve offered a selfish sinful sacrifice like his brother. Enoch couldn’t have prevented his own death on his own. Noah didn’t build an ark because he was righteous on his own but because He ultimately trusted God. Abraham was not obedient because He was good but because he had faith in where God was sending him. His descendants didn’t multiply because they deserved it but because they trusted in the same God as their Father did. Through out this list we see great men and women who did great things for God but it wasn’t because they were great themselves. They had great faith in a faithful covenant keeping God. As a church we can do great things with that type of faith. It’s faith that not only saves us but sustains us and God uses that same faith today. Church, what do you need to start living out in faith?
Posted by: Erik Koliser
JumpstartCPC.com 