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“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth” ( Hebrews 11:13 )

Faith has the ability to see the invisible, the impossible and the improbable. Faith takes what doesn’t make sense to the natural mind and becomes the substance that moves the invisible forward until it becomes reality. There are many things in God’s kingdom that require faith. The Word is full of promises that only become reality when mixed with faith and believed.

Interestingly, all of these men and women previously mentioned in Hebrews 11 died in faith, waiting for their promises to come to pass. It is counter-intuitive to think that these weren’t fulfilled because it didn’t happen in their lifetimes. But the scriptures say that they saw and welcomed them from a distance. Because of it, God was not ashamed to be called their God ( Hebrews 11:16 ).

For example, Abraham believed God when He told him that he would be the father of many nations and through his Seed the Messiah would come ( Galatians 3:16 ). God also revealed to Abraham by the promise that the entire world would be blessed by his faith and God would justify the Gentiles  throughthat same type of faith ( Galatians 3:8 ). These were amazing promises. Abraham understood the implications of this; which is why he believed God and set the example of being declared righteous by faith. He saw into the future what God was going to do and got on board with His plan.

However, in Abraham’s lifetime, he only got the down payment of the promise. Isaac was the beginning of its fulfillment but what was promised reached so far into the future that Abraham died in faith looking forward to a time when all would be fulfilled. That takes faith, and faith is what pleases God ( Hebrews 11:6 ).

These examples of faith show that these great men and women understood they were temporary residents on earth. They looked forward to their true home in heaven with God. They greeted the reality of their promises from a distance knowing they would eventually come to pass whether they were alive to see it or not. The reason is that God had something better planned for us, “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” ( Hebrews 11:39-40 ).

We are the beneficiaries of their faith. We have witnessed these promises unfold throughout the centuries so that we too can partake in the precious promises of God being thankful that they had the audacity to walk in faith regardless of the situation. No wonder they were commended for their faith and through it blessed the entire world.

“By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore” ( Hebrews 11:11-12 )

It would be easy to become discouraged and hopeless in a situation like this. Abraham and Sarah waited for years hoping to have a child only to grow old without an heir. The possibility of reproduction gone with each passing year. The history of trying to conceive over and over without success would be more than enough to dash any hope for the future.

Then the Lord appeared to Abraham telling him at the same time next year Sarah would have a son. Sarah laughed as she overheard the conversation but the Lord replied to her, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son” ( Genesis 18:14 ). Confirming the Word he originally gave Abraham that through him he would be the father of many nations ( Genesis 12:2-3, 15:4-5 ).

Faced with a decision to believe God for the impossible, both Abraham and Sarah took the steps of faith required to conceive. Because of faith Sarah received the physical power to get pregnant although she was long past the ability to do so. The key lies in the fact that she considered God faithful who had promised a son. She chose not to consider the circumstances surrounding the situation only the guarantor of the promise.

In the same way, Abraham disregarded the fact that he was one hundred years old and that Sarah had been barren and had long since passed the age of childbearing. Instead he considered God faithful to His word and able to bring it to pass. Romans 4 gives a marvelous picture of Abraham’s faith, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” ( Romans 4:18-21 ).

When hope was gone, Abraham got supernatural hope to carry him through to where the promise was released. Throughout the process he started considering God, rather than the circumstance. As a result he started praising Him, giving glory, building himself up in faith, being fully persuaded that God would do what He said He would. Praising unlocked the faith needed to see the promise fulfilled. And because of it Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness ( Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:22 ).

You and I have been blessed by the faith of Abraham and Sarah. Because he believed God he became the father of many nations and the father of faith. All of those who trust in Jesus as their savior have been credited with the same righteousness that Abraham received by faith ( Romans 4:23-24 ) because they choose to believe God when the circumstances seemed impossible.

“By faith 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. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” ( Hebrews 11:8-10 )

Faith propels people to do strange things from the viewpoint of the world. I had a friend who left family and friends, moving to Costa Rica to be a missionary because she heard God instruct her to do so. She didn’t have any missionary support when she left, she just knew she was supposed to go. She was heavily criticized by those around her for taking such bold steps without a husband, financial support or long term accommodations. However, in an act a faith, she went. And God, true to His word supplied everything she needed, bringing her into a loving community of missionaries who shared the same vision of ministering to the people of Costa Rica.

Although this seems like an unusual story of faith, it is not unheard of. Abraham experienced the same thing. God came to Abram and told him to leave his country, his people and his father’s household going to a land He would show him. Then God gave Abram a very great promise. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” ( Genesis 12:2-3 ). At this time Abram was seventy-five years old and without an heir. However, he considered the promise of God and set out in faith to participate. He left seeking the land he would receive as an inheritance knowing that God would also give him a son in the process.

While on this earth, Abraham lived as a stranger in a foreign country in tents. What makes this account amazing is that he was waiting expectantly and confidently for God’s promise to come to pass. Abraham used faith to perceive from a distance what would be instead of looking at his present situation. Verse 10 shines light on this, “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” ( Hebrews 11:10 ). Abraham could see in faith what God could do if he believed him and obeyed. He chose to disregard the things of this world for the things of God. Looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.

Just as in the example from my missionary friend, this type of faith is unusual and makes people uncomfortable. However, the reward is too great to pass on. We must look toward the future in faith with spiritual eyes. Considering that God is always faithful to His promises. Like Abraham we must disregard the things of this world for a chance to follow God’s instructions knowing that God always rewards faith ( Hebrews 11:6 ).

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” ( Hebrews 11:7 )

It takes faith to build an ark. Only one man has ever needed this kind of faith. Even though Noah had never heard of or experienced rain, let alone the flooding that exists with earth covering amounts of water, he obeyed God when instructed to build the ark. He had only God’s word to counter everything he knew and had previously experienced.

Noah was six hundred years old when the ark was finished and probably endured endless harassment by society during construction. Yet he did not waver in faith but carried out every detail as instructed. This is faith in action. Noah is a text book case of the definition of faith, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” ( Hebrews 11:1 ). He believed God when all indicators of reality pointed another direction.

Backing up to the beginning of this account we see that Noah had found favor in the eyes of the Lord, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” ( Genesis 6:5-9 ).

Noah was righteous and blameless and had a long history of fellowshipping with God. His track record of seeing God true to His word was all the reassurance he needed year after year while building the ark. With each board put in place Noah condemned the world of its wickedness choosing to believe God. Because of this he saved his family, livestock, animal species and future generations while obtaining the righteousness that comes through faith.

Now we have a wonderful reminder of Noah and the covenant that God made with him and future generations that He would never again flood the earth. A rainbow in the sky speaks of this one man’s faith ( Genesis 9:8-17 ). He overcame every obstacle, public humiliation and believed God, condemned the world of its wickedness and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith. What an amazing example to encourage us in our journey!

“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” ( Hebrews 11:6 )

Faith is a must. Faith is the entrance point to relationship with God. He interacts with us based on His grace, we respond in faith. Given the basis of this type of relationship we understand how important faith is to the believer. In fact, this passage boldly declares that without it, it is impossible to please God because the simple truth remains that we must believe that He is before we can come to Him.

If faith is the starting point, then it makes sense that faith is a key element for life. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus commented on people’s faith. In most cases He asked and wondered where it was, saying ‘you of little faith’ or ‘where is your faith?’. On other occasions He marveled, as in the example of the centurion solider ( Matthew 8:5-13 ). When the centurion came to Jesus asking for help for his servant Jesus agreed to come with him. But in a marvelous display of faith he told Jesus to just say the word and it would be done; citing his understanding of authority and appropriating it. “When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” ( Matthew 8:10 ). The centurion’s faith made Jesus stop and marvel which is noteworthy. “Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour” ( Matthew 8:13 ). The healing took place according to the faith of the solider and in the manner he asked for, Jesus just came into agreement with the faith that had been displayed.

If it is impossible to please God without faith. The opposite is also true; faith is what pleases God. As in our examples from the gospels, faith was important to Jesus, He looked for it and responded to it everywhere He went. So the underlying truth to draw from is that God responds to faith. It pleases Him, it moves Him to act and it is essential in the life of the believer.

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God” ( Hebrews 11:5 )

Enoch is one of the most interesting records found in the Bible. Four short verses in Genesis describe his life. What makes it unique is that he is one of two men who didn’t experience death. Instead God translated him to where He was because Enoch had a faith report that he pleased God.

According to the account found in Genesis, Enoch had a legacy of walking in close fellowship with God for three hundred years ( Genesis 5:22 ). The Amplified Bible describes this relationship as habitual fellowship ( Genesis 5:24 ). This means that they enjoyed intimacy and a fellowship that pleased and satisfied both God and man. From this relationship, Enoch for all time, has this testimony given by God that he pleased him. What marvelous faith Enoch had.

When I think about him being translated from this earth without experiencing death, I am reminded that God does the same thing with us. Colossians says, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” ( Colossians 1:13 ). The King James Bible says it this way, “He hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son” ( Colossians 1:13 KJV ).

The amazing thing that we can take away is that through Jesus, we like Enoch, experienced translation from death at the moment of salvation and were forever united with God. This of course takes place on a spiritual level; we are moved from the kingdom of darkness under the shadow of death and into the kingdom of Jesus, given eternal life. This comes by faith and just as Enoch received a testimony that he pleased God, we too, by faith can obtain that very same report.

There is a great lesson to be learned from Enoch. The faith of Enoch made it into the Faith Hall of Fame for a reason. His faith pleased God obtaining a good report recorded for all future generations to have this example. This report came by habitual fellowship with His creator and walking with Him all the days of His life until he was no more because God had taken him home.

“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” ( Hebrews 11:3 )

By faith we understand that the universe was made by the spoken Word of God. However, faith also had an incredible role in the creation of the world. God spoke creation into existence when nothing was. This took faith on His part, He believed His Words would form the physical and it did.

Faith is a key element in how the kingdom of God works. God himself operates in this way. This is an important lesson for us, by it we see two amazing truths. First, as in our example from creation, faith has the power to bring what does not exist into existence. Secondly, we see that speaking in faith is what unlocks that power to bring it to pass ( Romans 4:17 ). We can speak the Word of God with authority to any situation, being confident that it will change the circumstances and the outcome. It may seem odd, but that is why faith is required.

The previous verse describes faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” ( Hebrews 11:1 ). Meaning the substance behind faith cannot be seen or understood with the five senses, but there is a certainty to it. Just as in our example from creation, the substance supporting faith is the Word of God. When we have a Word, we have the means to get us to where our hope is realized.

God spoke the universe into existence by faith. He instructed His Word to go and produce, believing that it would happen and the rest is history. In the same way, we can have such confidence in the Word of God because we also have a wonderful promise concerning it, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” ( Isaiah 55:10-11 ).

“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” ( Hebrews 11:1-2 )

In the natural realm, faith doesn’t make sense. Because faith cannot be seen, understood or explained when situations beyond human control require its use. And yet faith is absolutely necessary for the believer. In fact, faith is the first and only thing required of us when we come to God ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ). Later on in this chapter the writer draws attention to the fact that without faith we cannot please God, which means it is absolutely necessary ( Hebrews 11:6 ).

Paul told the believers in Corinth, “We live by faith, not by sight” ( II Corinthians 5:7 ). If this is the case, it is important to know what faith is, so that we can regulate and conduct ourselves in faith, not by what we see, taste, touch, hear or feel.

This passage in Hebrews is the mere definition of faith. It is being sure, certain and confident of the things we hope for. The King James Bibles tells us that faith is a substance. And the Amplified Bible puts it best when it calls faith the title deed of the things we hope for. If we have the title deed to something we own it.

The Amplified goes on to explain it this way, “NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]” ( Hebrews 11:1 ). Faith is what assures and having faith is perceiving as real what is not yet evident in the natural realm. The ancients had it; otherwise they would not have seen nor done the things they did.

Faith is what carries you from point A to point B. You can hope for something but faith is the substance that moves you forward until you experience it. Take salvation for example. We receive this by faith. Being saved is not something that you can see, hear, smell, touch or feel. However, chances are if you’ve experienced it no one can talk you out of it because your faith is the substance that testifies to you that it is real and genuine. The hope of salvation hasn’t been realized yet, in the sense that we still are on this earth, but faith is what assures us that salvation is a done deal and one day very soon the hope of salvation will be realized.

This same principal applies to all situations in the believer’s life. This is why Paul declared at the end on Hebrews 10, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” ( Hebrews 10:39 ). Why? Because we have faith! We have the title deed to the things that God has promised us. All we need to do is believe them until the hope of them is realized. “This is what the ancients were commended for” ( Hebrews 11:2 ). They believed God when all seemed lost and obtained a good report.

It is important to stand firm in what you know, not letting anyone or anything talk you out of faith. Faith is believing God and resting in His promises until fulfillment comes. Let faith convince you of reality even before you see what has been promised in the natural. This is what pleases God ( Hebrews 11:6 ).

“For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” ( Hebrews 10:37-39 )

Faith pleases God, in fact Hebrews 11 records, “without faith it is impossible to please God...” This means that our faith is a baseline. The verse goes on to say, “...because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” ( Hebrews 11:6 ). So it is no surprise that the Bible says that the righteous will live by faith.

We first come to God by faith. We place faith in what Jesus did for us to bring us into fellowship with God. Colossians tells us that in the same way we received Christ we are to continue living in Him ( Colossians 2:6 ). We received Christ by faith so it makes sense that all of our lives we are to continue in faith believing God in all things.

So we learn an important truth in this passage, through faith we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed throughout life, instead we are of those who believe and rise to any occasion because of what God is able to accomplish through us. Paul said that we are more than conquerors ( Romans 8:37 ), nothing in life can stand in our way, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” ( Romans 8:38-39 ). His love enables us to be more than conquerors and to rise up in faith by believing what God has spoken to us in the midst of this world.

We also have a promise that Christ is coming very soon. He will not delay, so as we wait for that glorious day, we are to live by faith knowing without a doubt that this day is quickly approaching. To prepare, this is how we can please God, by trusting Him in all things, By waiting patiently knowing that what He has said will come to pass and by continually standing in faith. Because “we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” ( Hebrews 10:37-39 ).

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” ( Hebrews 10:19-23 )

These verses are a culmination of the entire book of Hebrews. Everything that has been said has been leading up to this point, we can draw near and approach God on the basis of faith in what Jesus did to make us acceptable, knowing that nothing stands in our way. This is a profound truth!

Reflecting on the entirety of Hebrews we see that Jesus is God’s Son, an exact representation of the Father and far superior to angels (Hebrews 1). Secondly, we see that He was sent to destroy the power of sin and death and release us from slavery to it (Hebrews 2). Next, we see how vastly superior Jesus is to Moses (Hebrews 3) and by believing in Him we enter into the very Sabbath Rest that God promised His people (Hebrews 4). Next we see how Jesus was chosen by God to be our High Priest fashioned after that order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5). After a short warning about falling away, the writer goes on to explain this priesthood, given on oath and How Jesus meets all of its requirements (Hebrews 6, 7). Next, the New Covenant is introduced and explained with Jesus at its epicenter (Hebrews 8). Chapter 9 compares and contrasts earthly tabernacle worship with Jesus’ heavenly duties and shows how His perfect and Holy blood has ratified and guaranteed the New Covenant (Hebrews 9). Chapter 10 brings home the point that this sacrifice was only made once to forever seal the deal. It shows how Jesus’ work on the cross was perfect and complete (Hebrews 10).

In light of all of these things, the main point now becomes the fact that we can have boldness and confidence to draw on what Jesus did and approach God fully assured that we are acceptable to Him. By faith we can come to him in absolute conviction that we are not guilty of sin and we are not polluted by its effects. Because of Jesus we are righteous and holy.

The only requirement is that we come through the veil of His body, washed solely by His blood. Jesus on the night that he was betrayed spoke of this very thing, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom” ( Matthew 26:26-29 ).  

This was not the first time Jesus made mention that both His body and His blood was necessary to be brought into fellowship with God. He deliberately said it to the multitudes that were following Him looking for miracles. They were offended at the words He spoke so He took a hard stance declaring, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him” ( John 6:54-56 ). Many left Him that day and followed Him no longer. However, His point was that there is only one way to be accepted by God and that is through the body of Christ which was broken for us and the blood of Christ that was shed as atonement for us. This hasn’t changed since Jesus spoke these words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” ( John 14:6 ).

At the cross the veil in the temple that separated mankind from the Holy of Holies where God resides was torn in two from top to bottom in a divine act of God ( Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45 ) Jesus’ body has become the veil where we can pass through in faith into the very presence of God the Father. This is an amazing truth! Jesus opened up a new and fresh way of approaching God. We now enter, not by the blood of bulls and goats but by His body and blood which cleanses and absolves us from all guilt associated with sin.

Because this is so we are called to draw near to God in confidence and boldness. Jesus’ changed the rules. “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word” ( Hebrews 10:23 Amp ).