Living Faithfully

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2  Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 4  By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. 5  By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." 6  And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7  By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith. 8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9  By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10  For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11  By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah herself was barren--because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12  Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." 13  All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14  for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15  If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. 17  By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18  of whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." 19  He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead--and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20  By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. 21  By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, "bowing in worship over the top of his staff." 22  By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial. 23  By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24  By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25  choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26  He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. 27  By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king's anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. 29  By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

This is a history of people who had faith.  This is the story of Noah, the crazy sailor; Abraham the old man who took a risky trip; of Joseph the arrogant younger brother; of Moses the prince of the desert; and of Rahab the prostitute.  They were not especially brave, or clever, or well connected or even very religious. But they had faith. And the writer adds that : “by faith our ancestors received approval.”

Those who follow Jesus inherit this story. Jesus-followers are not expected to be religious, or spiritual, or theologically educated, or even good. We are asked to trust our lives into the hands of God, and get on with living by faith.

 Ordinary 27 / Pentecost +20

49 Faithfulness

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 298.
This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.