By Faith: Confessing Our Faith Today

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Sports coaches and sports psychologists know the importance of faith. You’ve got to believe … in yourself. You have to believe you can do your sport, or you won’t win. Faith gives drive, energy, confidence.

Our journey through Hebrews 11 has pointed out a variety of things that ordinary people were able to do because they had faith. And their faith was not in themselves but in God. Faith in God is assurance in what God has done and confidence in what God can do … and will do—at the right time, in his time.

True faith focuses both our eyes on God. It also centers our gravity in such a way that it keeps both our feet on the ground even while it lifts our hearts to heaven. Faith enables us to stand tall and live straight. It puts a spring in our step. Faith that is as small as a mustard seed, said Jesus, can move a mountain! One person’s faith can change the world—think of the apostle Paul, for example, or of Martin Luther.

In chapter 11 the writer of Hebrews gives us a high-speed history to illustrate the power of faith. Perhaps you could add the names of some people you know of to the events listed in the closing verses there.

Imagine your name in that list.

What event(s) in your life might be mentioned as an example of faith at work?

Lord, bless us still more with the power of faith in you, till the day when together with all believers who have gone before us we will be made perfect. In Jesus’ name, Amen.