Hebrews 11 is often referred to as “The Hall of Faith” chapter of the Bible. Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Rahab, Noah, and Joseph are just a few of the heroes mentioned in Hebrews 11. These men and women accomplished great things for God in spite of the many hardships they faced. Verses 33-38 clearly spells out the many difficulties they faced.
“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”
What made these men and women heroes? They simply believed and trusted God, regardless of what the outcome might be. Verse 6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him,” and verse 1 gives us the definition of that faith, it is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not just believing God can do something, but believing He will do something, and trusting Him no matter how He may respond.
Max Lucado tells the story of a man named Wes Bishop, the father of the man who married his daughter Jenna. He was a godly man and a pillar in his community. Wes had a brain tumor, and in spite of all the prayers for healing, his condition continued to get worse. He eventually returned home in the care of hospice. His three sons took turns watching over their father. They put a monitor next to his bed in the event he called out when they had to step away. One night he did call out, but not to them, he called out to Jesus. He was heard saying “Jesus, I want to thank you for my life. You have been good to me. And I want you to know, when you are ready to take me, I am ready to go.” Those were the final words that Wes spoke as Jesus took him home a few days later. I want that kind of faith. Faith that not only moves mountains and shuts the mouth of lions, but the kind of faith that trusts God in our darkest hour, our weakest moment, and when we face death itself. How about you, what kind of faith do you have?