Christ Is Sufficient - Living A Life of Faith
Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The unknown human author of Hebrews encourages Christians, who are being persecuted for their faith, by pointing them to the greatness of the Son of God who became man. Christ is the full expression of God’s revelation, better than anything in the Old Testament. The author warns his readers to depend on Christ alone.
Abraham obeyed God’s voice, leaving Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran and finally to Canaan for a future inheritance promised to him—the location of which he did not know (Genesis 12:1). He was obedient to the call and dwelt in the land as a stranger therein (Hebrews 11:8-9). God promised to make Abraham’s descendants a very great nation. God also promised Abraham a son. Through Abraham’s family tree, Jesus Christ would be born (Genesis 15:1-6). Abraham’s part of the covenant was to believe God. Abraham trusted in what God had promised him. Abraham looked beyond Canaan to a lasting heavenly country and city—designed and built by God Himself (Hebrews 11:10, 14, 16; & 13:14).
One needs to have a right relationship with God based on faith—the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. We must strengthen our faith, supported by His character (attributes). Walk by faith by learning God’s directions for life, meditating on the excellences of God’s Word (Philippians 4:8). Spirit-filled godly actions will trail naturally as “by-products” (Psalm 119:105). Obey God by faith (the value of knowing God’s Word is that it speaks about Christ).
At first, Sarah doubted the message from the angels of God. God exposed her innermost thoughts (Genesis 18:9-15). God’s written Word helps us to see ourselves as we really are and convicts us of unbelief, so that we repent and change (Hebrews 4:12-13). Life on a daily basis must be full of hope with an acknowledgment and declaration of commitment to God (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are strangers and pilgrims—this awareness is placed on us by our circumstances. This is not our heavenly home, so we must be strong-minded in faith (Romans 12:1-2). We are not alone in faith. Saints have died in faith—and shall one day return. Look forward to Christ’s “any day” rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
Prayer: I praise You Almighty God, the One who cannot be defeated, whose purpose will always be completed.
Linda Jackson
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
The unknown human author of Hebrews encourages Christians, who are being persecuted for their faith, by pointing them to the greatness of the Son of God who became man. Christ is the full expression of God’s revelation, better than anything in the Old Testament. The author warns his readers to depend on Christ alone.
Abraham obeyed God’s voice, leaving Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran and finally to Canaan for a future inheritance promised to him—the location of which he did not know (Genesis 12:1). He was obedient to the call and dwelt in the land as a stranger therein (Hebrews 11:8-9). God promised to make Abraham’s descendants a very great nation. God also promised Abraham a son. Through Abraham’s family tree, Jesus Christ would be born (Genesis 15:1-6). Abraham’s part of the covenant was to believe God. Abraham trusted in what God had promised him. Abraham looked beyond Canaan to a lasting heavenly country and city—designed and built by God Himself (Hebrews 11:10, 14, 16; & 13:14).
One needs to have a right relationship with God based on faith—the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. We must strengthen our faith, supported by His character (attributes). Walk by faith by learning God’s directions for life, meditating on the excellences of God’s Word (Philippians 4:8). Spirit-filled godly actions will trail naturally as “by-products” (Psalm 119:105). Obey God by faith (the value of knowing God’s Word is that it speaks about Christ).
At first, Sarah doubted the message from the angels of God. God exposed her innermost thoughts (Genesis 18:9-15). God’s written Word helps us to see ourselves as we really are and convicts us of unbelief, so that we repent and change (Hebrews 4:12-13). Life on a daily basis must be full of hope with an acknowledgment and declaration of commitment to God (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are strangers and pilgrims—this awareness is placed on us by our circumstances. This is not our heavenly home, so we must be strong-minded in faith (Romans 12:1-2). We are not alone in faith. Saints have died in faith—and shall one day return. Look forward to Christ’s “any day” rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
Prayer: I praise You Almighty God, the One who cannot be defeated, whose purpose will always be completed.
Linda Jackson
2 Comments
Amen!!
Amen!