Hebrews 11:1-21 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

As we "hold fast" our confession of hope.. not wavering.. but trusting in the fulfillment of all that our God has promised.. we live by faith.  Faith is a "substance".  It a foundation, a support.. a firm trust.  It is proof or evidence of what our eyes cannot yet see.  Faith is a noun...  When we have faith, we are persuaded of the Truth... we rely on it and we live according to what we have believed. 

The writer of Hebrews gives us a "great cloud of witnesses".. those who proved the genuineness of their faith by their lives.. these are meant to be examples.. those who did not see the completion of that which was promised them.. but who were confident in God's promises anyway.  Their lives proved their confidence in God. 

 He begins with Abel where we learn that faith leads to action.. Abel  offered a better sacrifice.. and was commended for his righteousness.  In Enoch we see that faith pleases God.. so much so that Enoch was taken to heaven without dying.  "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (v6)

Noah's obedience.. building an ark to escape an unseen flood.. reveals his faith in a God who condemns sin and saves the righteous. 

Abraham's faith in God led him to leave his home and family and move to an unknown land, wait for a promised heir, and prepare to sacrifice his own son at the command of God.  His faith was rewarded as Isaac was born and his descendants multiplied just as God promised. 

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance".   Their faith extended to a greater promise.. a future city.. " a country of their own"... a "better country - a heavenly one." 

"Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (v16)

There are more witnesses to hear from.. but let us pause and think about these verses.  We need to examine our own faith.. our confidence and assurance in God's promises to us.  We need a faith that offers a "better sacrifice".. that pleases God.. that obeys His instructions.. that is willing to do whatever He tells us. We need a faith that is a foundation of our lives for all of eternity.  

Father, we join our fellow believers, looking for the promised city above.. and living now by faith in You, our God. May You be pleased by us who believe in You and are earnestly seeking You.  May we live in obedience as we walk in faith and trust You in all things.  We do not want You to be ashamed to be called our God.  Strengthen our faith we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.