Know You Will 3-Day Devotional by UnitedSample

KNOW YOU WILL

PART THREE: Clinging With Confidence

“These heroes all died still clinging to their faith, not even receiving all that had been promised them. But they saw beyond the horizon the fulfillment of their promises and gladly embraced it from afar. They all lived their lives on earth as those who belonged to another realm.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:13‬ ‭TPT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Many of the men and women of faith who we read about in the Bible lived their lives clinging to a promise. Some fought giants whilst others marched around fortified cities in the desert, believing that they would see deliverance, justice and the fulfilment of a promise. Miracles took place, dead were raised to life, battles were won and God provided in mysterious ways. Doesn’t this stir up your faith?! Reading these stories can be so awe-inspiring and encouraging in our own lives. Many of us find great comfort and strength in these profound accounts of faith. 

Not all the faith-heroes had stories that ended with triumphant outcomes on earth, though. “Others were mocked and experienced the most severe beating with whips; they were in chains and imprisoned… These were the true heroes, commended for their faith, yet they lived in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised them.” (Hebrews 11:36, 39 TPT) Many of these people witnessed great things in their lifetime and even though they saw miraculous displays of God’s power, they still did not see the fulfilment of the promise before they died. 

While this may seem sad, or even cruel, it’s important to note that the eyes of faith see generationally, not momentarily. These people lived with a belief that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) They believed that God had made a promise and He was faithful to accomplish what He said He would. So, despite the fire burning, sword piercing, chains binding and crowds ridiculing them, these men and women pressed on and clung to the promises of God until their last breath. They paved a way for those who came after them, and in many cases, it was even their faith in the face of the worst persecution that led others to find salvation and deliverance. 

Do you have faith that sees generationally? Can you see beyond your own life and take hold of the promise that God has given, even if you never see the fulfilment of that promise? We may never encounter the type of persecution that many others have, but when we cannot see a way through the challenges we face, we can have faith that God is on the move. He is up to something, and when it all shakes out, the gates of hell don’t stand a chance. Sometimes we might not know how God is going to fulfill the promise, but we can cling to it with great confidence, knowing that He will! 

Reflection & Application:

Pause for a moment to reflect on your faith. Is your faith dependent on seeing the promise fulfilled in your life, the way you expect it to be done? This is a struggle for many, and it doesn’t make you a bad person or mean that your faith is worthless. If things don’t work out the way you plan or expect and you never see the promise come to pass in your lifetime, will  you still believe? 

Prayer:

Dear God, I know that your thoughts are higher than mine and that you see things differently than I do in the natural. I pray that you will open the eyes of my spirit, Lord. Help me see beyond my current situation and have a faith that thinks generationally. If I never see the fulfilment of the promise, I will choose to have faith. I don’t know how You will do it, but I know that You will. Amen!