Hebrews 11:1 - Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 

I think that we have all heard of some type of Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame consists of the greats in certain categories in different areas such as sports, music, arts, cars and more.

Hebrews 11 is a chapter of the greats of FAITH!

I shared this devotional at my church, and I shared with them, how I did not want to share this message. I didn’t want to share it because lately, my faith has been a little bit of a struggle. When God placed this in my heart I was at work and as I sat there alone, I was just asking God “Why? Why do you want me to share this message when just two weeks ago I had to take time from work because I just didn’t feel good. I felt completely overwhelmed with everything and just wasn’t sure I could keep going on this walk with Him.” I needed a day for myself because I still was set to give this message but the only thing that I kept thinking was, God the promise you gave me, and my family looks nothing like the life I am living right now.” He then set me straight and told me, “IT DIDN’T LOOK LIKE IT TO THEM EITHER!” and well all that was left for me to say was… “Ok, I will give the message.”

By faith, they believed!

By faith they walked in obedience!

By faith they never lost hope!

By faith, the universe was created!

By faith, Abel offered his best!

By faith, Enoch was taken by God, not having to experience death!

By faith, Abraham left the land he knew for one he didn’t know!

Even when tested Abraham offered up his son Isaac!

By faith, Sarah was given the power to conceive!

By faith, the walls of Jericho fell!

By faith, Moses led the people to cross the Red Sea as if it were dry land!

And that isn’t it, there’s more! I pray that what you take with you after reading this is that these are the greats, they were written into this chapter in Hebrews, the Hall of Faith because they are examples of what it means to live by faith. They never lost hope even when they saw no evidence of their promise.

I asked myself, “Am I a good example of what living by faith looks like?” I immediately remembered and asked God to forgive me for complaining about sharing this message because right now the promise he gave me doesn’t look like the life I am living.

So, I ask you:

What example of faith are you displaying with your life?

Where does your faith lie? Because being honest most times we have no problem walking by faith when everything is going great, but can you still live by faith when you feel you have been going though trial after trial and storm after storm and you still can’t get through the storm.

Nowhere in the chapter or even the whole bible does it say that living a life following Christ would be easy. So, I don’t know why I wanted to think that I should not be having any trials or struggles. God has always had a plan for me, just as he does for you, but remember so does the enemy, but his plan is for destruction and for you to drop and walk away from your promise.

These greats all had trials, hardships, and doubts just as we do but they still lived by faith trusting not in what they could or couldn’t see but believing in THE ONE that gave them the promise.

Their natural eye couldn’t see the promise, but it didn’t stop them from hoping for it by faith.

They heard God and by faith they were obedient.

But, I wonder if we can take a moment t think of the times that God has told us to do something and we just did it despite what it sounded or looked like, as these greats did in Hebrews 11. As for me, I am getting better at not questioning and just moving forward and believing that if God said it then it will be done. I’m not saying that I don’t or won’t struggle but I will move by faith as he leads me.

They all died being in this Hall of Faith chapter as being on of the greats and lived by faith. I want to tell you that you could be the very example God is trying to use for someone to see that he is the same promise keeper as he was back then, today and always. Be the example to those that have lost hope and think living by faith is impossible. We need to show them that we serve the God that makes the impossible possible. Like I said, I have been trying to live my life like these greats even as I know that my life is nowhere near the things they had to go through but like them I want to live by faith knowing that if God gave me a promise, then it will come to pass. Even if, right now I don’t see the evidence of that promise.

I leave you with this thought:

IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE GOD, THEN LIVE BY FAITH!