As we consider our sources of strength, let us consider what we cannot prove, but choose to believe. In Hebrews 11:1 we read that, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11 goes on to commend a large number of people form the history of the people of Israel who showed faith. We read of the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel as well as unnamed men and women of valour and persecution.
There is something that they all had in common. “None of them received what had been promised to them.” Hebrews 11:40
Faith is a choice to put your confidence in a promise. In the Bible, we read that God has given us a promise of his power, at work in our lives through faith.
I heard a story of a visiting speaker from Africa who came to preach at a church in England. He was impressed with the air conditioning system in the church and asked how it worked. The church leader explained that there was a thermostat box on the wall that, when turned, made the room cool. The visiting speaker decided to purchase one of these devices to take home with him. A few weeks later, he rang the church leader to ask why his box wasn’t working in his hot church building. Can you explain why the thermostat didn’t function as he had hoped?
Faith in God is more than a hope that a prayer or a habit will produce a positive result. There is a loving, almighty creator, who has promised that he is always faithful. The good news of Jesus is that if we confess our need for a saviour and turn away from our wrongs, we will be saved.
Today let us consider the lives of the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Let us also search our own lives and consider if our faith is in the all-surpassing power from God.
