Tag Archives: Hebrews 11:1

Hope for today

 

 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

We’ve commented before that true hope is more than a wish that things will go well. Wishing is a bit like saying, “Good luck.” I don’t know about you but I don’t want to pin my most precious hopes on wishes or luck.

 

We say we have real hope when we have a real sense of conviction that something will turn out well in our life. More than a wish, our hope is a conviction based on what WILL happen.

 

Vaclav Havel, the first democratically elected president of Czechoslovakia, describes hope as the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. Havel’s views were not based on a Christian belief but more so in a type of ‘karma.’ I’ve heard even Christians state this belief, “If it’s meant to happen it will.”  The problem is, there are a lot of things that happen that are truly tragic and senseless, and not meant to be.

 

Personally, I don’t believe in the idea of karma. But I do believe in a sovereign God who allows us free will and yet whose overall plan will not be thwarted. God allows humans to make all kinds of bad decisions and He allows a degenerating earth to wreak all kinds of havoc. . . for a time.  But regardless of the circumstances that may confront us, His plan will prevail in the end.  We often see this life as all there is and we are quick to judge events as “fair” or unfair” from our viewpoint. On this side of heaven, we may never make sense of things from our limited perspective.

 

But things WILL make sense, perfect sense, when our eyes are fully opened to see the full reality that is presently obscured by our temporal vision.

 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 

 

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

 

 

Something Better

Have you ever NOT received something you wanted or planned for, only to later receive something BETTER?

Maybe you didn’t get that trinket you wanted as a child but instead saved your money and later were able to buy something of far greater worth. Maybe you were running late for an out of town meeting only to discover that had you been on time you would have likely been in a major accident on the interstate. Maybe you gave up your right to custom coffee once a week and instead found greater satisfaction in giving hope to a child in a third world country through a monthly sponsorship.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie, Facing The Giants, is when the coach’s wife came out of the health clinic. Expecting positive results she had instead been given heart breaking news. With tears in her eyes, she looked to the heavens and said to her God, “And still I will praise you.”

What? Your hopes are dashed and STILL you give praise? Is that really possible? In Hebrews 11, Paul uses the phrase “by faith” over 20 times to describe the lives of many ordinary people who lived trusting their extraordinary God…even when there was no evidence for that faith. And here’s the kicker Paul writes: “These were all commended for their faith, yet NONE of them received what had been promised.” Really? We understand delayed gratification: Give up some now so you can get more later. Experience some pain now and so build your character in a far greater way later. But NOT getting what was promised?

Wait; there’s more. Paul writes: “…none of them received what had been promised. God had planned SOMETHING BETTER.” Something better than a pain-free life, better than a cute house or big retirement plan, better than your biggest dream. Something so much better that you might not even see it in this life, and yet it is still worth living for.

Before my wife said, “I do” 40 years ago, she had faith in a young man with an unknown future. She saw something that couldn’t yet be really seen. As parents we dedicated our children to the Lord, not knowing their future paths. In the face of heartache we must look beyond the daily ‘evidence’ to celebrate not only today but the unknown tomorrow.

Great faith is built by trusting God for small things one day at a time. What can’t you yet see that is worth living for…by faith?

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

The Edge of Adventure: Living by Faith

It was over thirty years ago. A coworker gave me a book that would transform my life: The Edge of Adventure by Keith Miller and Bruce Larson. Even though I had professed to be a Christian, I had faith in heaven but not much faith, or discipline, in living the day to day life. Finances were hard and work was challenging and unrewarding. Then I read the story of desert Pete:

“There’s a story told of a weary traveler who had hiked for miles across the desert with the hot sun beating down on him. His water supply was gone – and he knew that if he didn’t find water soon to quench his thirst, he would certainly die. In the distance, he spotted a deserted cabin, which brought hope that maybe water could be found there. He made his way to the cabin and discovered an old well. He frantically pumped the handle of the well to draw up the water – but all that came from the pump was dust. Then he noticed a tin can tied to the pump, with a note inside. The note read:
Dear Stranger –
This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer in it, and it should last for quite a few years. But the washer dies out and the pump needs to be primed. Under the white rock, I buried a jar of water, out of the sun and corked up. There’s enough water in it to prime the pump, — but not if you drink some first. Pour about 1⁄4 of the water into the pump and let her soak for a minute to wet the leather washer. Then pour the rest medium fast and pump like crazy — You’ll get water. Have faith. This well has never run dry.”

What would you do? Have you been to the point where there is no more patience, no more money, no energy and it seems no hope? You are thirsty in every way possible. And then, you discover this small gift, one that would quench your thirst at least for a moment. And the note promises even more blessing than you need. But what if it is a hoax, or what if the pump is beyond priming, and the little jar of water would be wasted away into the sand?

The faith of Job has to be poured out every day. You may have already given up your house, lost your job, your income, your belongings, your hobbies and toys, your friends and family, even your life ambitions, health and personal identity. There is still more in your heart that needs to be poured out…in faith. And then, the adventure begins.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1