05/29/2026
Greetings friends,
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. A strong reminder for us from the writer of Hebrews about the definition of faith. We continue our walk with this writer of an important letter in our Scriptures.
How did the great men of old accomplish great things? Things worthy of reading about thousands of years later? Was it by strength of limb, confidence in their abilities to outsmart the enemy, or was it something else? Our author here gives it to us straight. Yes, they did mighty things in the days of old. Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. Enoch walked so faithfully in this life that he was taken up by God into heaven alive. Noah, by faith, built the ark when there was no rain. Abraham obeyed when commanded by God to sacrifice the son of his wife, trusting God to still be able to keep His promise to make Abraham a great nation.
The author tells the tales of most of the great men and women of the Old Testament. A wonderful retelling of the history of God’s people, from the people’s side of things. And in the end, what does this writer have to say about it all? The work of these mighty men of the Scriptures was all done by the power of their faith in the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
And even though commended for their faith, they did not receive what was promised to them by God, because He had something even better prepared for them which they would receive in just the right time. And so, we wait faithfully in hope for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ, practicing in our lives what He lived out in His, as was well modeled by these heroes of the faith.
Your brother in Christ, practicing my faith alongside you all, Pastor G
