August 28, 2010

Hebrews 11:1-19 (Good News Translation)

Embodying Hope and Encouraging Others in Faith

Introduction

Hebrews 11:1-19: Today's passage cites stories of faith throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. The author says that faith is the way to please God and receive God's promised reward. Faith means trusting in God through life's deepest challenges.

Today’s Scripture: Hebrew 11:1

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.

Today’s Reading

¹To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. ²It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval. ³It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen. ⁴It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. ⁵It was faith that kept Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God. ⁶No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him. ⁷It was faith that made Noah hear God's warnings about things in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a boat in which he and his family were saved. As a result, the world was condemned, and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith. ⁸It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. ⁹By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. ¹⁰For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations. ¹¹It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. ¹²Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore. ¹³It was in faith that all these persons died. They did not receive the things God had promised, but from a long way off they saw them and welcomed them, and admitted openly that they were foreigners and refugees on earth. ¹⁴Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵They did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return. ¹⁶Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for them. ¹⁷It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. ¹⁸God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised.” ¹⁹Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death—and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.

Reflect

What biblical characters appear in this passage as models of faith? What challenges did they face? How did God meet them in their times of struggle? What do these stories mean to you? How have you relied on God in times of struggle? How has God responded?

Pray

God, there are times when I struggle to have faith in you. Thank you for your promises to care for me no matter what. Strengthen my faith that I may better serve you. Amen.

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