During the past few weeks I have been spending a significant amount of time in the Book of Hebrews. It is so rich in so many areas with the overall theme being the supremacy of Christ. This past week while reading Hebrews 11, which has been given titles such as, “Heroes of Faith”, “The Honor Roll of Old Testament Saints”, and many others, I was reminded of a couple of pastors that are friends of mine. Both of them have been going through a tough time with physical struggles. One with the loss of sight in one eye and is recovering. The other is in a battle with cancer again and is going through chemotherapy treatments. What I am amazed with is the encouragement that they provide to so many. When you speak with them, there is no talk of “why me”, “how could this happen”, only a peace that can only come from Christ.
This is faith in Christ being lived out today.
When we take a look at the significance of faith, I believe that the book of Hebrews provides us with so much truth. It defines it and it teaches us how it is so vital in our victory and in our suffering.
First, when looking at the definition of faith, I have always turned to Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I still believe this to be true, but I also read a statement that enhances this verse. “Faith is not simply the mental acknowledgment that something is true. It is such a firm belief in its truth that the person bases all his or her actions on its truth.” Wow, when I first read that, it hit me right between the eyes! It is so simple but so profound, that this statement along with Hebrews 11:1 is clearly to me, a great foundational definition of faith.
“Faith is not simply the mental acknowledgment that something is true. It is such a firm belief in its truth that the person bases all his or her actions on its truth.”
When we then look at how faith is instrumental in victory there are so many stories…there is Abraham, Moses, Daniel, and many others but I would like to highlight a story that is not so prominent. That story is the one of Rehab…I love the story of Rehab. Here we see God use a Gentile prostitute to assist His people to conquer Jericho, and thus by her choice of faith to follow God she did not perish with the others in Jericho. Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Not only did she not perish, but her life was transformed forever. Rehab made a choice and made the decision to stand with God. This is a perfect story of someone turning from a life of sin to follow the one true God.
In addition to faith being influential in victory, it is also vital in suffering. The strength to walk the path of suffering without true faith is in my opinion next to impossible. Hebrews 11:35 gives us an insight into the suffering of some of His saints, “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment…” God gives us the courage and strength to walk any path that He has for us, if we will only trust Him.
These two stalwarts of men that I mentioned are great examples of how God gives His grace and strength to those who follow Him. Be encouraged that the God that has empowered them to rise above their circumstances is the same God that can help you with anything that you are going through or might go through in the future. He is the same today as He is in the past and in the future. Hebrews 13:9 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
Just remember that during victories or tough times, focus on trust and rest, He will do the rest!
God Bless,
Rick