The Hall of Faith

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see

Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes called the “Hall of Faith”. In verse 6 we are told that it is impossible to please God without faith.

In the remainder of chapter 11 we are given great examples of faith from men and women from the OT.
• Abel had faith that his offering was better than Cain’s
• Enoch had so much faith that God took him up to heaven without dying
• Noah certainly had faith....he built a boat in the middle of the desert for crying out loud!
• Abraham had faith to follow God consistently without seeing the results.
• Sarah had faith that she would conceive a child even in her old age.
• Isaac had faith in the promised blessings for his sons.
• Jacob had faith, Joseph had faith and Moses had faith.

We are told in verse 13 that some of these people died without seeing the benefits of their faith. They still believed however in what God had promised them. Can you or I say the same thing about our faith? I can truthfully say that I have seen God’s faithful promises come to fruition in my life and it bolsters my faith in Him. But what if I never heard a word or saw the providence of God in my life? How much more difficult would it be to have faith?

God has worked mightily through the faith of His children all throughout time. We see later in chapter 11 that even the author of Hebrews has to cut his argument short because it would take too long to tell us about each and every instance of faith that was shown. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel as well as the prophets are mentioned. It says in verse 33 that by faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. By faith the mouths of lions were shut and flames of fire where quenched. By faith their weaknesses were turned into strengths.

BUT......others were tortured and died for their faith. Brothers and sisters throughout the world today are suffering and dying for their faith. Some go through less trying circumstances and are only mocked and made fun of but still others are excommunicated from their communities and shunned by their family for their faith in Jesus Christ.

A pastor once preached a message on this Hall of Faith and told the congregation that if we call upon the name of Jesus as the only One who saves than we too are in this Hall of Faith. Our level of faith might change depending on our circumstances but as long as we have it than we too are considered Hall worthy. Jesus said it takes the faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains right?

How is your faith doing? Are you suffering for your faith? Do you know anyone that is? Who is in your “Hall of Faith”? What does their walk look like that enables them to be enshrined in this great Hall? Do you suppose you might be in somebody else’s Hall of Faith without knowing it?

My faith waxes and wanes according to whatever is going on in my life but I never lose it. I have always had my faith in Jesus Christ to hold on to even in the most difficult of circumstances. I think this is part of human nature and God expects that. God doesn’t shoo away our doubts or questions. He welcomes them. He loves us and loves lavishing His love on us. Go to Him in faith right now with whatever you are going through. He will answer you.

Remember verse 34 when it says, “Their weakness was turned to strength”. Go to God with your weakness and watch what He can do with it.

Have faith.

God bless.