These all died in faith, not having receivd
the promises, but having seen them afar
off, and were persuaded of them, and
embraced them, and confessed that they
were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare
plainly that they seek a country.
And truly, if they had been mindful
of that country from whence they
came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned. But now
they desire a better country, that is,
an heavenly: wherefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God: for He
hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:13-16
There are times in life when your faith will be tried to the utmost and you must not allow fear to shake you and to cause you to question your faith. You, and I, must have settled the question of our faith now, not in the future, not by some trial, rather to have come to an unshakable faith. It is not that a person cannot be concerned, it is that that concern causes a person to take action and not just rest on faith for faith without works is dead (James 2:26). In faith Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, all those who believed in the God of the Bible died, but they died in faith knowing that God had prepared a place for them to reside forever. Do you believe that God has prepared a place for His children? Remember those men of old did not see the promise fulfilled but saw them afar off, in the future and by faith they embraced them. Those men of old knew that they were pilgrims, strangers on earth. Do you know that you are a pilgrim just passing through this life? Before the Bible was written those men declared that they were seeking this country afar off and desired this better country, that is, this heavenly country prepared for them by God. We today have God's written words that we can turn too and by our study and prayer we can see what those men of old did not have to aid them in their faith. We have this written word that declares to us that God has revealed to us this heavenly country and even more, He has given us a peek into that country and what it means for His children. Our faith is in that which we have not seen for none of us have seen God, nor Jesus, nor even those who wrote the Bible so our faith is in the unseen, but not a faith without warrant, without support so our faith is not a blind faith.
God led Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David and the judges and prophets of old so they had what we have, God's leading so that we have no reason not to have faith in Him. God leads us by His Holy Spirit, and this leading is when we read His written word and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to follow God's written word. If we do not allow this leading, this reading, taking time to allow God's word to become effective in us then our faith is not based upon what God has given so our faith has a foundation. God spoke to those men of old by sending His angels, by the appearance of Christ (Genesis 18). Jesus Christ has appeared by His birth and now there is no reason for Him to do what He did before His appearing in flesh to die for sin, our sin. So we have that which we need until His return for His bride, Scripture to tell us what God expects from His children and to inform us that Jesus is coming again to take us to that heavenly home. This all requires faith in the unseen, but not in that which is unknowable.
Life is short, eternal life is time without time and when we do not live eternally now, with this hope in our hearts, we will not live according to the commands of God and we are faint when trouble comes and trials abound. Have you been tried to the point where your faith is tried? If so, remember the words written by the writer of Hebrews: God has a heavenly home prepared for you, and this life is but a short time where sin has caused these trials and that God will take you to a home where there is no more any trials that will confront you (Revelation 21). Be concerned but not overwhelmed. Remember who you are and whose you are and know this, God is faithful to keep His promises, so you to be faithful.
As you know that I had to be gone for a couple of days to find out what will be done for this melanoma that I have on my nose and while I do not like it, it is what it is, and I believe that God will take me through the testing and surgery. My faith is in a God who will keep His promise no matter the outcome. Until then, I, you, have work to do: spread the Gospel. Prayer for me and for others who are experiencing some trial is so important for God hears and answers prayer. Will He heal me? I do not know! Will He take me home? Yes! The Holy Spirit can give strength and will lead you or me through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23). Thank You!
And I have put My words in'
thy mouth, and I have
covered thee in the shadow
of My hand, that I may
plant the heavens, and lay
foundations of the earth
and say unto Zion, Thou art
My people.
Isaiah 51:16
Keep your faith: This is a witness
Richard L. Crumb
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