I have always known Hebrews 11 as the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter. And I wondered if my name would be included,“By an act of faith Amy….” But, I think I missed something in this chapter that I didn’t see before. These heroes did great things for God, but it was more about what they didn’t do, what they gave up or sacrificed that made them heroes…
By an act of faith…
- Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau…
- Jacob on his deathbed blessed each of Joseph’s sons in turn, blessing them with God’s blessing, not his own-as he bowed worshipfully upon his staff...
- Joseph, while dying, prophesied the exodus of Israel and made arrangements for his own burial…
- Moses parents hid him away for three months after his birth. They saw the child’s beauty and they braved the king’s decree…
- Moses when grown refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with oppression. He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff.
“Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” Hebrews 11: 39-40 MSG
The questions I now ask myself are, “Do I really want to be on the list? In my heart?Am I willing to give up myself? What am I holding so tightly to that I can’t let go?
In Jeremiah the people were not listening to Jeremiah’s message from God. They were calling him a liar and doing what they wanted. Filling their own desires.“Look at what’s left: ghost towns of rubble and smoking ruins, and all because they took up with evil ways…Please listen to God’s word…Listen!”Jeremiah 44 MSG
What kind of legacy am I leaving? Or What do I want to be left? Am I so focused on today that I am forgetting to have an eternal perspective?
Dear Jesus. Help me to let go of things that I have too tight of a grip on in my life. Thank you for your faithfulness. I never want to forget that so I always remember to give You the glory. Amen
Amy(amyctanner)
Sixty-six books in a year 