November 10, 2024 - Hebrews 11

I was asked, several years ago, to speak to a large group (100-150) students at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.  The given topic was “faith.”  I began by asking the students to define “faith.”  Several hands went up, and answers were given.  One girl in the back raised her hand and answered, “Well, faith is believing in the unbelievable.”  I responded, “OK, you might believe that which is not believable but I choose to believe the believable.”  Of course, to believe that which is not believable is just silly and foolish.  The writer of Hebrews tells us:  “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see” (11:1).  I supposed that young girl was thinking of the “unbelievable” as whatever is unseen.  Of course, just because something is unseen does not mean that it does not exist.  Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Sarah, Moses and so many others were confident in the promises of God, promises that were real and not merely imagined.  And that confidence led them to do great things in the name of the Lord.  And even if the promises were not fulfilled in their lifetimes, they knew that God was faithful to perform all that he promised.  These saints, along with us, will one day see all that God has done, and what a marvelous moment that will be:  “And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.  For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us” (11:39-40).

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

take all my guilt away;

O let me from this day

be wholly Thine.

[And] when ends life’s transient dream,

when death’s cold, sullen stream

shall o'er me roll,

blest Savior, then in love,

fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,

a ransomed soul.   -- Ray Palmer (1830)