4 min
Hebrews 11:13 Built on the Rock
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- Christianity
Each of these people had a faith that "looked forward."
"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."- Hebrews 11:1-2 ESVSome of these people had a faith and trust in the Lord that was so strong, they kept believing even though they didn't live to see the promises fulfilled, such as Abraham and Sarah. This is because their perspective was eternal, not temporary.
"For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."- Hebrews 11:10 ESVAgain, they were "looking forward" to God's ultimate plans. Not for temporary or immediate gratification.
As you read this section, I want you to notice the depth of the perspective being pointed out here. Life on earth is a temporary journey for those who truly trust in God. The concept that we're merely nomads or foreigners here on earth isn't something that we're not accustomed to. Worship songs today even reference this concept:
I'm goin' homeWhere the streets are goldenEvery chain is brokenOh I wanna goOh I wanna goHomeWhere every fear is goneI'm in your open armsWhere I belongHome- Home, Chris TomlinBut I hold on to this hope and the promise that He bringsThat there will be a place with no more sufferingThere will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fearsThere will be a day when the burdens of this place,Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to faceBut until that day, we'll hold on to you always- There Will Be a Day, Jeremy CampAs the book of Hebrews indicates, we are "strangers and exiles on the earth."
It's this kind of faith that can get us through some incredibly difficult times:
We see how Abel trusted God despite personal abuse (Hebrews 11:4)We can obey difficult and confusing commands that God may give, like Noah (Hebrews 11:7)We can trust that God will uphold His word and fulfill His promises, even if it seems like He's waiting too long (which, who are we to say?) like Abraham and Sarah did (Hebrews 11:8-12)
So like these leaders of the Old Testament, I want to encourage you to accept God's promises, even if that means that they are greeted from afar. This is the kind of faith that we need, especially today, and the kind of faith that the writer of Hebrews wants to inspire in those who read this letter.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Each of these people had a faith that "looked forward."
"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."- Hebrews 11:1-2 ESVSome of these people had a faith and trust in the Lord that was so strong, they kept believing even though they didn't live to see the promises fulfilled, such as Abraham and Sarah. This is because their perspective was eternal, not temporary.
"For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."- Hebrews 11:10 ESVAgain, they were "looking forward" to God's ultimate plans. Not for temporary or immediate gratification.
As you read this section, I want you to notice the depth of the perspective being pointed out here. Life on earth is a temporary journey for those who truly trust in God. The concept that we're merely nomads or foreigners here on earth isn't something that we're not accustomed to. Worship songs today even reference this concept:
I'm goin' homeWhere the streets are goldenEvery chain is brokenOh I wanna goOh I wanna goHomeWhere every fear is goneI'm in your open armsWhere I belongHome- Home, Chris TomlinBut I hold on to this hope and the promise that He bringsThat there will be a place with no more sufferingThere will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fearsThere will be a day when the burdens of this place,Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to faceBut until that day, we'll hold on to you always- There Will Be a Day, Jeremy CampAs the book of Hebrews indicates, we are "strangers and exiles on the earth."
It's this kind of faith that can get us through some incredibly difficult times:
We see how Abel trusted God despite personal abuse (Hebrews 11:4)We can obey difficult and confusing commands that God may give, like Noah (Hebrews 11:7)We can trust that God will uphold His word and fulfill His promises, even if it seems like He's waiting too long (which, who are we to say?) like Abraham and Sarah did (Hebrews 11:8-12)
So like these leaders of the Old Testament, I want to encourage you to accept God's promises, even if that means that they are greeted from afar. This is the kind of faith that we need, especially today, and the kind of faith that the writer of Hebrews wants to inspire in those who read this letter.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
4 min