Living FaithfullyНамуна

Faith in Every Situation  

We return today to our survey of the book of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews writes to encourage us to continue on our journey through this life to the world to come. The “heroes of faith” of Hebrews 11 were all men and women who believed God and, particularly, believed His promises about the future. They were looking forward to a kingdom, and they persevered because they saw Him who is invisible (Heb. 11:27). 

Hebrews 11:33–35a lists ten ways in which these saints experienced preliminary forms of victory in this life. Then verses 35b–38 list more than ten ways in which these saints experienced persecution and death rather than relinquish their hope. But then, in verses 39–40, the author tells us that none of these people received the promise, because Jesus had not yet come. The perfection—the full maturity—of their hope awaited the completion of Christ’s work, and they entered into that perfection at the same time as the New Testament saints did. 

Now in 12:1–2 the author of Hebrews makes his point: If these people persevered in faith, how much more should we do so? They had only tokens of the kingdom to come; we have seen the kingdom come in Jesus Christ. It should be much easier for us to believe that God is assuredly going to finish His work. 

Moreover, the “great cloud of witnesses” shows us that God has been and will be faithful. The Bible records that these people experienced trials and doubts but that God never let them down, always giving them what He had promised. All the preliminary promises were fulfilled. Now the greatest promise has been fulfilled, for the Messiah has come. With this history in mind, we can be absolutely certain that God’s future promise of heaven and a new earth for us will come to pass. 

Throughout Hebrews, the author has pointed us to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who has gone before us and now reaches back to draw us toward perfection. Here in 12:2 he says it again: Keep your eyes upon Jesus. Jesus went through cross and trial, and so will you. But He was crowned with glory and honor, and by His grace you will be, too.

Coram Deo  

As we finish Hebrews 11, don’t stop thinking about old covenant history. Hebrews shows us how to read it, and encourages us to read the rest of it. Read 11:33–38 and try to remember which Bible incidents are referred to. In each case, note how the person involved trusted in God’s future promise.

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