29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Faith. I know I need it. Clearly it’s helpful and has an impact on the lives of those in the Old Testament.

But do I really understand what it is? Do I really know how I can get more?

I know that Christ taught that if I have faith the size of a mustard seed, then I can move mountains. If I haven’t seen any physical mountains move recently, does that mean my faith is that small?

At the beginning of this chapter I read that faith is the substance of thing hoped for, the assurance of what is not yet seen. If I don’t feel assured of something, does that mean I don’t have faith for it?

While I know that faith is essential for me to be able to walk my life with Christ and to grow in intimacy with God, but I am finding that the more I learn about faith throughout my life, the more I realise how much there is to learn!

Lord, this journey of faith is one of adventure! Thanks for always encouraging me along the way and for giving me relationships with people along the way so that I can learn, grow, and follow their example in faith.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.

‘It was by faith…’ I wonder if my name was added into this passage what it would say? We have the advantage of knowing the whole story but each of these men were ordinary enough in their day. And didn’t know how their story would end. A childless nomad desperate for an heir, who it could be said made some iffy choices in his family relationships. A man whose sons competed for his attention, resulting in strife in his family, another a farmer who didn’t learn from his fathers mistakes and whose children turned on each other as a result. Lastly a guy who had every reason to be bitter against his family and the means to exact revenge. But despite their flaws ALL these men knew and worshipped the living God. The lives these men had were messy and imperfect (reminds me of me!).

It was this relationship with God that overcame the issues, with faith. These men were all confident in the God they knew (personally). They all knew that God is God, no matter what their personal circumstances were. They couldn’t see the finish they just knew that God was in it with them. If these guys with all their problems could keep their focus and see things through with their Faith, then maybe given I believe in and know the same living God, maybe I can make it too. These men probably didn’t start with faith for the big picture. Their little steps of faith were like brush strokes. God used each act of faith, each brush stroke to create the big picture. I want to be like these men- confident in the God I know personally, intimately. I want to trust God each day, every step, and let him create the painting that is my life. I am excited to think what might be listed against my faith. How about you?

Heavenly Father I thank you that you never leave us. I thank you Father that you love me and go through all things with me. Help me Father to put my faith and trust in you. Help me Father to know you. Help me Lord to take the step of faith you are asking me to take today. In Jesus name. Amen

Written by Christine Knight

4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 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. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

“…. anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” (V6 Msg version) This verse has jumped out at me. These men of faith all believed that God existed – before He showed up in their situations.

So many want to only believe that God exists after He has answered what they are wanting or after a situation has been resolved. They want Him to prove Himself first & then they will believe.

These men of faith & those that follow in the rest of the chapter give us a different path to follow. It’s quite a simple path, there is no magic formula, they believed in Gods existence, they believed in what He told them, that He cared for them and their situations and I need to do the same. Faith believes He exists, knowing He hears me, has my best interests in mind, has purpose & place for me & ultimately cares more for me than I do for myself.

Father where my faith has waned, where my doubts have overwhelmed me, where I’ve only believed you care after you have shown up, forgive me. Help me to keep Jesus, – his death for me, his resurrection for me – which is the reality of your existence, central in my life.

Written by Suzie Hodgson

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” 38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us of a couple of very important things.

Firstly, we should never believe that we are the only one experiencing struggles and hardships. Every believer will at some point experience these. And the reason is simple – we follow Christ. We learned about him, believed in him, and chose to follow him. That puts us in opposition to the world.

Secondly, that we should hang in there because we also learnt of the prize that awaits us, the promise made by Christ – the forgiveness of sin, restoration with the Heavenly Father and eternal life, and that’s just a start.

So, while today’s struggles are hard, don’t forget the past, because we are still here, they were not our end. And in our struggles today also remember the promise that waits for those who don’t give up, because it’s worth it.

Father, I know there are times when I have wanted to quit, and I thank you for the believers who encouraged me through those times. I thank you for the promises that you have made to all of us who don’t give up, so I choose again today, to keep my eyes on you, following you, because you are worth it.

Written by Andrew Martin

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

In considering this passage, would I describe my faith as confident, assured and unswerving? Am I recalling to mind the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice? Am I perceiving myself each day as cleansed by the blood of Jesus, no longer guilty in God’s sight? Am I finding my hope each day in the fact that what God has promised, He will do?

God, thank you that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough for me. Please help me to fully enjoy the confidence, assurance and hope offered to me in Jesus. Help me to grasp that your promises are for me, and for those around me. Amen.

Written by Bethany Waugh