Day 13 ~ Their Hope Is Our Hope

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Have you ever read Hebrews 11, aka “The Faith Chapter,” and marveled at the faith of the people listed there? It’s like taking a walk through the Saints Hall of Fame… Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and more.

These were amazing people of God who did amazing things for God. I could never measure up, you might think. But I have good news for you.

Their hope is the same hope we have today.

Their God is the same God we serve today.

Their faith is the same faith we possess today.

So what makes them so “special”?

Hebrews 11:13-16 tell us exactly what was so special about these saints:

1.     They lived by faith to the very end. “All these people were still living by faith when they died.” (v. 13)

2.     They hoped in God’s promises, even though they may not have seen these promises fulfilled in their lifetimes. “They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” (v. 13)

3.     They were longing for their heavenly home.  “Instead they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” (v. 16)

Can we really possess the same kind of hope and faith as these great saints? Absolutely! Living by faith and having hope in God's promises isn't just for the saints of Bible times. It's just as important today as it was thousands of years ago.

 

I love how The Message wraps up Hebrews 11 and compares the faith of the saints of old to our faith now:

 

Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.
 

As Christ followers, we are all part of the larger picture of faith, weaving throughout history as part of God's plan. And someday that glorious plan will be complete, the picture will become crystal clear...

And our faith will become sight.