Hebrews 11 — Faith in Action
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40).
The writer of Hebrews summarizes the Old Testament in 38 verses by focusing on key people in the stories of old, specifically their faith. This provides a great example of how we should read the ancient texts, a thread of hope we can gather from the rich histories of our ancestors. They had faith, knowing they would be richly rewarded in the end, not whining about their circumstances, faithfully moving forward.
Lord may I have an ounce of this faith. May I work today without reward from man, but with the knowledge that you have prepared a place for me in your time on your terms and for your cause. Help me to study your word and learn more about you. Help me to be of service to others and help them on their journeys, wherever they may lead. Give me “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (11:1), that is, faith.
Years ago, I sang with a group of saints for a going-away event. The base chapel was full of people who honored the group leader as he was moving (as missionaries often do). We sang a song that was truly beautiful…a capella…five voices: Sweet Beulah Land. The chorus still reverberates in my mind,
“Beulah Land, I’m longing for you
and someday on thee i’ll stand,
there my home shall be eternal
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.”
Very old school…go ahead and Google: “Sweet Beulah Land” “Gaither Vocal Band”, for a treat. “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (11:10). “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, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth” (11:13).
Lord give me the strength to persevere, to keep going as if there’s no tomorrow, for your glory and whether or not there is any earthly reward for a second of time spent here.