Laura Bennet – Author

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

Isn’t it great to know that God looks more at our willingness to have faith and be faithful than he does at whether we keep his laws?

Of course, as we grow in faith, we will also desire to live rightly with God and others. But in Hebrews 11, God gives us a list of folks who made mistakes and bad choices but God praised them for their faith in him.

Even though they blew it in other ways.

Abraham lied about Sarah being his wife.

Moses killed a man and disobeyed God.

David took another man’s wife and murdered her husband.

Noah got drunk and exposed himself.

Job lost everything and questioned God.

Rahab was a prostitute.

And those are only the big names we know about.

But God commended them for their faith even in spite of their sinful, human tendencies. And look at all the things they and their predecessors accomplished by faith:

• Pleased God (vs.5)
• Obeyed and went unknown places (vs.8)
• Worshiped in weakness (vs.21)
• Weren’t afraid of a king’s edict or anger (vs.23 & 27)
• Persevered (vs.27)
• Did something that seemed foolish, but saved their lives (vs.28)
• Conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained promises, saw lions’ mouths shut (vs. 34)
• Escaped flames and sword, saw their weakness turn to strength (vs.35)
• Became powerful in battle, routed foreign armies (vs.35)
• Saw the dead raised, withstood torture, flogging, insults and prison (vs.37)
• Were able to trust God even when stoned, cut in two, persecuted , mistreated and killed (vs.39)

Wow. Living a life of faith means living in greatness.

In spite of our sin, our opposition or circumstances. And in the end, we spend eternity with a loving God and fellow believers.

The best part is we don’t have to conjure up faith on our own. It is a gift freely given by God when we ask. Good news: even our asking exhibits faith.

Are you ready to move ahead in faith today?