Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
The Bible is full of inspiring stories about ordinary people that did extraordinary things because God was with them. In Hebrews chapter 11 the author listed many of these great men and women of faith to encourage the reader to have the same kind of faith in God that they had. Hebrews chapter 11 is overflowing with faith-filled people doing great things with God and if we have faith in God like them, we can do what they did and see what they saw!
For inspiration the author of Hebrews mentioned the offering of Abel (11:4), the intimacy of Enoch (11:5), the righteousness of Noah (11:7), the obedience of Abraham (11:8), the promised child of Sarah (11:11), the blessing of Isaac (11:20), the dreams of Joseph (11:22), the leadership of Moses (11:23) and the help of Rahab (11:31). What did all these awesome men and women have in common? Faith in God.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as, “Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith is basically trusting God and doing what He commands, while being assured that everything He promised will come to pass. Paul taught in Romans 10:17 (NKJV) how faith comes, he wrote, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” That is why we should always be students of God’s Word because if we’re not hearing the Word of God, faith isn’t coming. But like with a magnet, faith always comes when the Word of God is heard.
Furthermore, James wrote, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Therefore, biblical faith starts by first hearing the Word of God, then second believing what God has spoken and lastly, acting on what God said. As a result, according to Hebrews 11:2, “This is what the ancients were commended for.”
Faith is not passive nor is it only mental (like “make believe”); rather it’s transformative and impacts every part of a person’s life.
Lester Sumrall wrote, “Faith comes, not by prayer [alone], but by continually feeding upon the spiritual food of God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Every human on earth has a capacity for world-changing faith built into his spirit, soul, and body. No one is excluded. Anyone who will accept it can have a relationship with God the Father, with Jesus Christ the Son, and with the Holy Spirit that will change his world.” Do you believe you can do great things with God by faith like the heroes found in Hebrews 11? All you have to do is read God’s Word, believe what it says and act in obedience!
Reflection
Do you want to live an extraordinary life of faith?
Action
- Make time everyday to pray and read God’s Word.
- Believe and trust whatever God says.
- Be obedient to God’s Word and watch what He will do in your life!
One Year Reading Plan
Ezekiel 1:1-3:15, Hebrews 3:1-19, Psalm 104:1-23, & Proverbs 26:24-26. Click here to read online.
