The Heroes of Faith from Hebrews 11

5/28/2019

When I was in the third grade, I memorized Hebrews 11. The whole third-grade class memorized it. All 40 verses! I can still recite much of that passage today. It made a huge impact on my life! Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah... Hebrew 11 is filled with men and women whose moral and spiritual failings, depravity, sin, and faith give us great hope that only through Christ, in Christ and because of Christ are we accepted into the Kingdom of God.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

For by it the people of old received their commendation.

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." Hebrews 11:1-11

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The chapter goes on to tell us of Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets of the Old Testament and their acts of faith, courage and heroism.

I love in verse 4 where it speaks of Able's life, "And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." Isn't that what we all want to be said of our own lives? And through her faith, though she died, she still speaks. That's my prayer today. Lord, let my faith continue to speak, even after I am gone!

Another favorite part of this passage for me personally is found in verse 8 where it says that Abraham "went out, not knowing where he was going." How many times have I felt God leading me somewhere, but I have no idea where we are going? Maybe you feel this same way today. My prayer with you today my friend is Lord, let me trust you when I have no idea where we are going.

So, two thoughts from Hebrews 11 today:

Lord, let my faith continue to speak, even after I am gone!
Lord, let me trust you when I have no idea where we are going.

We would love to hear your story of faith! Please share it in the comments below.

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Which character in Hebrews 11 is your favorite faith story?

12 Comments

Michele Morin link

5/28/2019 10:03:25 am

What a great point about Abel!
And it's also very enlightening to see the names that ended up being preserved for us in Hebrews 11. Some of them I might not have expected to find there, and then, others I'd have looked for and been surprised to find omitted.

Patsy Burnette link

5/29/2019 06:56:47 pm

You're so right Michele! "Some of them I might not have expected to fine there..." I think heaven is going to be the same way. "...and then, others I'd have looked for and been surprised to find omitted." Makes me think of how differently we look at people than the way God looks at them.

Susan Shipe link

5/28/2019 03:54:16 pm

Thanks for the mentions on Twitter and thanks for the linkup!

5/29/2019 06:57:54 pm

You're so welcome Susan. :)

Lauren Renee Sparks link

5/29/2019 12:49:30 pm

I love reading thru the role call of the faithful and the 4Him song "Man you would Write About" inspired by it. laurensparks.net

5/29/2019 07:02:04 pm

The roll call of the faithful is inspiring! Thanks for stoping by Lauren! :)

Debra Jean link

5/29/2019 01:04:57 pm

I don't think I can pick a favorite. Although, what stood out reading it today was that Barak is there, I have read this a hundred times and haven't given any notice to him, today he jumped out. We often think of him as weak, wanting a woman to go to war with him. We miss that it was only because he wanted to ensure God went with him and he was willing to give up the glory in order to have that. Faithful and humble. So many great characters and lessons we can learn from each one. Many Thanks 8)

5/29/2019 07:04:18 pm

Yes Debra, Barak is an interesting character you might not expect to find in Hebrews 11, but that's what makes the chapter so intriguing to me.

Stacy Zant link

5/30/2019 08:55:07 am

Absolutely love this! Reading these stories and examples of faith is a great way to build your faith. After all, the just shall live by faith! not by sight! Even when we do not understand, we will trust in Jesus to see us through. Thank you for your consistent content created to encourage the body of Christ. It is such a blessing!

5/30/2019 09:06:54 am

Oh thank you so much Stacy! These stories of faith are so encouraging to me because they are not just faith, they are failure too, and I fail so very often! There is hope, even for me.

Julie Hamilton link

6/2/2019 04:13:43 pm

I appreciate this post. This is my husband's favorite chapter of the Bible!

6/3/2019 09:59:30 am

Julie, I think it might be mine too! So much encouragements here that these people were not perfect, but they were heroes of faith, God's beloved, His chosen people— they were just like us! :)

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