Reading these stories is easy to think that life can turn out pretty good when one has faith. Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we’ll be able to move mountains. Matthew 17:10 And if we believe in Him, we can do all the works He did and even greater. John 14:12. Truly, with God all things are possible! Matthew 19:26. Hebrews 11 goes on to say that these heroes, through faith, “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword. They became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again.”
Wow!!! Faith is amazing! What incredible things we can do when we put our dependence on God. Just look at Jesus’ life and the miraculous healings that happened to those who had faith!
We are left to wonder though how faith works when things don’t go well, when the sick are not healed, when loved ones die after much praying, and when life is so difficult that we don’t know if we can go on any longer. Some people live a life of misery from the moment they are born. How come they are not delivered from their trials? Perhaps, as I’ve been told, they don’t have enough faith.
Hebrews 11 however, paints a bigger picture of faith. Among all the heroes of faith, all the amazing stories we so much cherish, the author of this book includes those in verses 35-38. Why, oh why did he have to include these? Those who were tortured, who faced jeers and floggings, chains and imprisonment, who were killed by stoning, by the sword, or who were sawed in two are included in Hebrews 11, the great chapter of faith. People who were mistreated, persecuted, and rejected are also commended for their faith. vs 39.
What does this all mean? Does this mean that faith is not what makes my life great and powerful? Of course it is, but in a much broader sense of the word. Faith, as Hebrews describes it, “is being sure of what we hope for.” All these heroes, those with a easier life and those with very difficult existences, were hoping for the same heavenly country, and lived their lives according to that hope. So faith is not an assurance of a problem-free life. Faith is dependence on God wherever life may take me. Hebrews 12 concludes this beautifully. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” vs 1. We each were given a journey to take while on this earth. For some the journey is smoother than for others, but whatever the path, lets us walk it with perseverance. How can we do that? Obviously not on our own. I don’t think I could endure much persecution on my own strength. What we must do, all we have to do, is to fix our eyes on Jesus. vs 2. He is the One who will give us everything we need for us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. It is only with our eyes on Him that we won’t grow weary and lose heart.
The journey set before me has not always been easy. As I write this, I see someone I love very much walk through the valley of the shadow of death and that shadow affects me too. It’s a difficult walk. I’ve been tempted with discouragement because I have not seen the miraculous healing I’ve been praying for. I wondered if my relationship with Christ is not strong enough and my faith is even smaller than a mustard seed. God in His mercy and love led me to Hebrews 11 and to see my experience in a fresh way. Faith is needed even when things don’t go as I wish. In fact, it takes a lot of faith to keep focus on the things promised and not lose heart, become discouraged, or abandon everything when life is pressing us from every side. All I need to do however, is to fix my eyes on Jesus. That word "fix" means that He has my full and undivided attention. From personal experience, my struggles are so much easier to bear whenever my focus is on Jesus.
Whatever the journey you’re on right now, look on to Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him. Don’t look anywhere else. Don’t look at yourself, your friends, self-help books, spiritual leaders, or even your problems. Your eyes must be on the only One who can give you everything you need to run the race with endurance without growing weary or losing heart. And always longing for that better country, a heavenly one, that has been promised to us.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and
young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and
not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40: 29-31
Isaiah 40: 29-31
