By Faith

My dear reader, I encourage you to read Hebrews chapter 11 in its entirety. I will not transcribe the chapter here, although doing so would make this post perfect, since the word of God is the most eloquent in the universe, beyond compare. I will start with the definition of faith:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Humans rely very much on tangible things. If there is something we can't see, it is very difficult for us to believe in it. Although people may bring up examples of invisible things we don't see but believe in, like the wind or the law of gravity, these are things we don't see but in one way or another, perceive through other evidence such as, the feeling of the wind on our skin or the witness that everything that goes up always comes down.

So when we are asked to believe in the invisible God of the Bible, we come to a dilemma. We say, "oh there is no evidence that God exist". But people who make this assertion are not watching their surroundings carefully. As Paul affirms in the Book of Romans:

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Once we have overcome that obstacle, we can witness wonders in the lives of the people who had faith in God and in His promises. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son because he believed God could raise him from the dead, and he knew God already promised him descendants through his son Isaac. Noah built the ark, and most likely, rain wasn't even a thing before the flood. Moses went back to Egypt, confronted Pharaoh, and got the Israelites through the sea. An like that, many other amazing examples are given in this chapter. 

These men had it tough but they kept pressing on because they knew they were dealing with God Almighty.  Some of them died without seeing their promises fulfilled, and yet they all came to be. We are all descendants of Abraham, thru Jesus Christ. All people perished in the time of Noah, except his household. Israel entered the promised land. God was faithful.

Has God given us any promises? The Bible is filled with them. My personal favorite being:

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Sometimes I get discouraged in my walk with God because what I see interferes with what God has promised His elect. It's tough but, Galatians 6:9 revives me and so does Hebrews chapter 11. Our lives are meant to be lived at the service of the Almighty regardless of our current circumstances.

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21: 5-7