Without Wavering: Resilient Faith Built on the Promises of GodSample

By Faith in Jesus: The Promise

In Hebrews 11:39-40 (CSB) we read,

“All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.”

Earlier this week, we considered the example of Abraham, and how, as he followed God, he lived a life of faith in action. We first see God in Genesis 17:4 promise Abraham that he would be a father of many nations, a promise God was faithful to keep as He grew His people from Abraham’s family line, which is the focus of the rest of the book of Genesis. Ultimately though, this promise was to be fulfilled in Christ Jesus, because through Him, acceptance into God’s family became available to everyone, regardless of lineage. Jesus is the answer to the promise the Old Testament saints kept their eyes on, and He is the “something better” available to us.

God is not like us; He doesn’t over-commit or fail us. He doesn’t overextend love; He freely gives it, never running out. And He is faithful to keep all His promises (Ps. 145:13). Jesus is our assurance of that, and He is the One on whom an unwavering faith is built. Because without Him, we have nothing.

The friends in Hebrews 11:3-38, those who by faith obeyed God, did not get to experience the salvation available by grace through faith in Jesus. Rather, they believed God would be faithful to His promise and eagerly awaited its fulfillment. You and I today, though, get to experience this promise of salvation! And while we also eagerly wait for the day when the world will be made right, we hold fast to the promise of Jesus’s return (Matt. 24:27-31; Acts 1:11; Rev. 19–20).

Resilience is built in seasons much like the people in Hebrews 11 experienced in our times of spiritual desperation. Life can be unpredictable and full of moments when we miss God working out His promise right in front of us. But He is always at work building up our faith and transforming us into His image. Don’t miss the miracle in the middle, the in-between. And remember that, unlike our Old Testament friends, we get to live in the beautiful reality of relationship with Jesus today.

Read John 3:16 and spend a moment reflecting and letting your mind dwell on the truth of the gospel.