◄ What Does Hebrews 11:10 Mean? ►

What we see with our physical eyes and experience through our five senses is generally sufficient evidence to make a statement of fact, about the material world in which we live... while faith is the absolute assurance that the God-breathed Scriptures are factually accurate, and provide us with tangible proof of the spiritual sphere and irrefutable evidence about the invisible realm.

Faith is the intangible organ of our being, that provides evidence of the invisible domain. It gives testimony of the spiritual sphere. It provides verification of things that are undetectable in the physical world and indiscernible in the scientist's laboratory. But faith is very real, and spiritually discerned - giving evidence of things not seen, and proving a reality that is more palpable than the physical world we currently inhabit.

Both Old and New Testaments are brimming with men and women of faith, and Hebrews 11 provides a picture-gallery of personalities who believed God's Word, and their faith is reckoned as righteousness. Many are the unsung heroes and heroines of the past, present, and future, who believed God and whose faith is reckoned as righteousness. Some are identified by name and Abraham, the father of faith, is mentioned a number of times within this chapter.

Abraham stepped out in faith when he set out from Ur of the Chaldees to a place that God promised to show him. His faith was further tested, and he faltered at times along the way... as we read in the book of Genesis. But in the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit only mentioned his faithfulness and obedience. He mentions the times he trusted God... such as offering up Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. And He passed over his many indiscretions in this chapter of 'faith'.. for the Lord has told us that He remembers our sins no more, and has buried them the sea of His gracious forgetfulness.

Abraham stepped out in faith and lived as a 'sojourner' in a foreign land. He never owned any of the promised property - other than a tiny burial plot, where he and Sarah were laid to rest. There are those who could argue that God failed to give His servant the Land of Canaan, that was promised to Abraham and his seed, forever. But the final chapter of the story has yet to be lived out, "for Abraham was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."  Abraham's faith has yet to be played out in a future reality.

Yes, Abraham did indeed step out in faith.. not only as it related to the physical world, but to the spiritual realm as well. Abraham trusted God to fulfil ALL the precious promises He made, to him and to all mankind. He believed that Seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. He believed God's promise to Noah and the everlasting covenant He made with every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.

He remembered the promise that his own offspring would become as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore and the stars that are in the heavens. He recalled that through his SEED - Christ Jesus our Lord, all the families of the earth would be blessed. He remembered that the almighty God had pledged to be his Provider and that the Lord would provide Himself - as the Lamb of God, Who would take away the sin of the world.

Abraham demonstrated a belief that the promises of God have an eternal perspective as, like us, he looks forward to the New Jerusalem - to the new heaven and the new earth and the eternal ages to come when the kingdom has been restored to the Father and the Man, Christ Jesus, rules and reigns in righteousness and peace.

Heavenly Father, how wonderful to know that Your promises will all be fulfilled and that a day is coming when our faith will be turned into sight as future prophecies and promises will be fulfilled at Your appointed time and in Your specified way. Thank You for the example of men and women of faith like Abraham and Sarah, and for the knowledge that nothing that You have planned and purposed will be left unfinished. Thank You that my sins have been forgiven and will be remembered no more and together with Abraham and all the saints, I look forward to the city to come - whose Builder and Maker is God. AMEN.