“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT).
Faith is the greatest power on earth. Hebrews 11 helps us to see faith through the faithfulness of ordinary people like Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah. These ordinary giants of faith walked with an inward conviction from God that He would perform everything He said. Faith empowers us to see what others cannot see. Faith empowers us to do what others cannot do. The best way to learn to walk in faith is to be joined in walking with others who are faith-filled.
Our faith grows as we follow and fellowship with God. When we diligently seek Him we experience His pleasure. Being in the Word, worshipping Him, and walking in His ways help us to walk in faith. We obey and follow God even when we don’t understand how He will accomplish His will. The Patriarchs of faith were not perfect in their actions, but they pleased God as they walked with Him. They died before they saw the completion of what God had promised. They saw the promise and welcomed it for the future generations who would receive it. They agreed that they were looking forward to a country that they could call their own, a heavenly homeland. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
