By Faith

READ: HEBREWS 11

Hebrews 11 is full of examples of people who trusted God even when it seemed foolish. Abel burned up some of his best livestock as a sacrifice to God (Genesis 4:1-11). If he hadn’t had faith, it would have seemed like a waste of food or income. Enoch’s deeds are not mentioned specifically, but his faith pleased God, and God “took him away” to be with Him without dying (Genesis 5:21-24). That sounds impossible, but nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26).

It’s encouraging to read Old Testament accounts of God’s faithfulness. When people put their lives at risk to obey God, He often showed His faithfulness by physically protecting those people in their particular situations—like He did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, keeping them alive when they were thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Other times, people suffered or even died for their faith, like Stephen (Acts 6–7). God was faithful to those people too.

Although we may endure situations where it might seem hopeless or unrewarding to follow God, faith allows us to recognize that God has a plan and will take care of us. He has given us promises to lean on whenever we endure difficult times. And every single one of those promises is fulfilled in Jesus. Because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave, we can be restored to relationship with God. In Hebrews 13:5, He promises never to leave or forsake us. In Matthew 21:22, He promises to answer prayers asked in faith—those answers may not be what we expect, but we can trust that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28-29). And in John 3:15, He promises that those who believe in Jesus will have everlasting life.

Like the people in the Bible who acted in faith, we all have times when obedience to God leads to uncertainty about our futures. They knew that God is trustworthy, so they believed God’s promises and acted on them. God fulfilled His promises to them, and He will fulfill His promises to us. • Karen Niewoehner

• What are some ways God has been faithful to you in your life?

• Who are some people you know who walk in faithful obedience to God? What about their faith in Jesus do you admire?

• If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. How does the Holy Spirit empower us to act in faithful obedience to God? (Romans 15:13; Philippians 2:13)

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)