Good morning…
Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. It was by faith that our forebears were approved. Through faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God; everything we now see was fashioned from that which is invisible (Hebrews 11:1-3, VOICE).
“Faith begins as hope and indeed is unseen; so many doubt that it is real,” says the footnote in our Bible. “What follows is the proof that faith is a reality that can be trusted.”
Abel. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. Sarah.
All these I have mentioned died in faith without receiving the full promises, although they saw the fulfillment as though from a distance. These people accepted and confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on this earth because people who speak like this make it plain that they are still seeking a homeland. If this was only a bit of nostalgia for a time and place they left behind, then certainly they might have turned around and returned. But such saints as these look forward to a far better place, a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God because He has prepared a heavenly city for them (v. 13-16).
God has prepared a heavenly city for us too, and together we tiptoe over into the next chapter.
So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us. Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor. Consider the life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart (12:1-3).
Faith is the assurance of things we hope for, the absolute conviction that there are realities we have never seen. Together, let’s tiptoe over into the next chapter, to a far better homeland with God.
…Sue…
P.S. What a gorgeous photo shared by Gina Palermo! Thank you.
