We are to live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Abraham left his home in Chaldea to follow the living God by faith. He received his inheritance in Canaan by faith. He lived in a tent his entire life. Not much protection against rain, robbers, or critters – for 175 years. How would you like to be living in a tent while sheltering in place? He knew his home was not here. Abraham trusted in the promise of God and not what he could see.
Noah also trusted in the unseen when he heard God’s Word and went to work. We know he did because he built an ark. He believed that the rain was coming though he had never seen it. His faith moved him to work. Board by board, for 120 years he proclaimed his work of faith. He was ridiculed and mocked, yet he worked on – by faith. God says that it is impossible to please Him without faith (Hebrews 11:6). You might be thinking, If God would only give me some visible proof, then I would follow Christ. But faith does not need visible proof. Faith does not need sight or touch. God has given us His Word – it is enough. By faith, we are to work to understand what He has said, and then do it – by faith.
Hebrews highlighted several Old Testament saints, giving credibility to their living faith. Each one was given few details, but they put their trust and hope in the teaching that God gave them. That defines the substance of faith. Though many lived and died without seeing the reality behind their faith, they trusted God’s Word, nonetheless. Note the recorded work of faith of these saints. By faith, Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. By faith, Enoch was taken away. By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. By faith, Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons. By faith, Joseph gave instructions about his bones. By faith, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter but esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater than the riches of Egypt. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down.
Then the long list of those who lived solely for the gospel; Gideon and Barak, Sampson and Jephthah, David and Samuel, and all the prophets. They subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, and turned to flight the armies of aliens. They were imprisoned, tortured, and martyred. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins. They were said to be those of whom this world is not worthy (Hebrews 11:32–38).
The Scripture never gives any details about the saving faith of most of these people, but we know that the root was there because we read of its fruit. All of these testimonies had one common link. Catch this glimpse! Their faith all worked together to get Jesus Christ to Calvary and to the empty tomb. God’s the Genius! Abel pictured Him. Enoch pictured Him. Noah and the ark pictured Him. Abraham’s offering of Isaac pictured Him. Jacob’s ladder pictured Him. Joseph pictured Him. In a remarkable way they all had Jesus Christ as the object of their faith. Amazing!
Every person listed in Hebrews 11 had a part to play in God’s big grace picture. What about you and me? The list concludes with a challenge. Since we have this long list of examples, let them motivate us to lay aside every hindering burden or any sin that would trip us up and let us run with patience the race set before us keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus(Hebrews 12:1–2). But wait!
Did I mention that this list is still being written? Our faith work is obviously not to get Christ to Calvary and the empty tomb but to make His gospel known to the world and to prepare for His coming. We are still to bear fruit pleasing to Him. The work will be done more effectively when we lay aside everything that holds us back and the sin that traps us and run with patience the race that is before us. We are to stay on course by fixing our eyes on the prize – Jesus Christ. Amazing! Stay safe and stay tuned.