Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? Were you excited and anxious? You were fairly certain you would receive a gift or two, maybe a special treat. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 1-3 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character - He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises - He will do what He says He will do. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.

The author of Hebrews walks us down memory lane as he recounts the Heroes of Faith that have gone before us.

Abel brought God a better offering than Cain.

Enoch pleased God and was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death.

Noah, in Holy fear, built an ark to save his family.

Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.

The list goes on and on… Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David and the prophets. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea. By faith the walls of Jericho fell. Weaknesses were turned to strengths. Miracles were happening all around. God’s children believed because of their faith in the One, True, Living God.

His people also endured the unspeakable: stoning, flogging, imprisonment, torture, chains, persecution, and death. Verses 39-40 say, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Even in this Faith Hall of Fame, these mighty Jewish heroes did not receive God’s total reward in their lifetime, because they died before Christ came. In God’s plan, they and the Christian believers (who also endure much testing) will be rewarded together.

Hebrews challenges us to remain faithful to Jesus despite persecution. Our trials might look different than they did over two thousand years ago, but the same faith is required of us. Verse 6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

The Book of Hebrews shows us that Jesus is the ultimate Revelation of God’s Love and Mercy. Jesus is the “radiance of God’s Glory” and “the exact imprint of God’s Nature.” Jesus’ sacrifice is the foundation for the New Covenant. In Jesus, we have found God’s very Word. We have hope for the New Creation. Jesus is our Eternal Priest and the perfect sacrifice. We can always place our faith in HIM!

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Read and reflect on John 20:24-31. Have you ever wished you could actually see Jesus, touch Him, and hear His words?
• In your quiet conversation with God, ask Him to show you a new way to live out your faith in Him, a new way to demonstrate you’re sure and certain that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.

Family Devo: Hebrews 11

By: Carrie Hobson

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.   

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset  

Head

Hebrews 11, otherwise known as “The Faith Chapter”, is full of reminders of God’s faithfulness. The New Living Translation of Hebrews says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see”. It goes on to remind us that God created the world with His command  and what we see now didn’t come from something we could see. All in this chapter we’re reminded of people having faith in something they couldn’t see. Why did they believe in God if they couldn’t see him? It’s because of the miracles God’s performed because of their faith. 

Sarah believed God would do as He promised and give her a baby even though she was too old to have one. What happened? God gave her a son. 

Noah built an ark to save his family from a flood because he trusted what God said. What happened? His family was safe while many others weren’t. 

Abraham was even told to sacrifice his own son, the one he and Sarah had been praying for a long time. Because Abraham obeyed God when He was testing him, God let his son live. Over and over we see that faith and obedience produces a much better outcome! It may not be easy, but having faith in God guides our steps and points us to him if we just obey.  

Heart

Has there ever been a time in your life where you struggled believing God because you couldn’t see him? Look back on that time and think about how God actually did work in your life. Remember He shows us over and over in scripture that even though we can’t see Him, our faith in Him still produces amazing things!  

Hands 

Take time this week to tell a friend about a time in your life where you struggled in your faith. Tell them what God did in your life.