I read a lot of biographies and a problem you run into sometimes is that they can both motivate and deflate you at the same time.
Bad biographies throw all the stats of someone’s accomplishments with very little context: ‘Andrew went to high school in an ordinary town somewhere. By 25 he had sold 4 companies, learned 8 instruments, mastered 12 languages and could bake blindfolded.’
The best biographies, like a Robert Caro biography, help you understand why someone from an ordinary town was ever motivated in the first place to do what they did.
A good biography excels in getting at, not just what people did or even telling you the obvious or immediate cause. Rather they dig into all the facts, all the evidence, and get at the underlying cause.
The writer of Hebrews 11 is an excellent biographer.
Hebrews 11 is like a hall of fame of faith.
The writer wrote it to give his readers concrete reasons to persevere through a horrible time of trial in which many of them wanted to give up.
The writer already told us:
What faith is: “…the assurance or things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (v1)
It’s value: “By it the people of old received their commendation.” (v2)
Why we need faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please [God].” (v6)
How Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah and others to come used it to do many great things: “By faith…” it says repeatedly.
Ok, we know they had faith.
We know faith fueled them.
We are motivated to imitate them, to hold on no matter what!
But then we wonder: what was going on inside their heads and hearts that kept their faith faithing?
That’s where Hebrews 11:13-16 comes in. This week, we’re looking at what made the faith of the faith heroes in Hebrews 11 so strong.
Listen/watch the Song:
Hebrews 11:13-16
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Here we’re told:
What happened with the promises: they didn’t get full payment on earth, but assurance of it was so clear they could wave at it.
How their faith affected their identity: They saw themselves as strangers and exiles. Like a foreign worker in a country where you can’t buy land or get citizenship.
What they sought: Home.
The ultimate proof of what they loved: They could’ve gone back to living their old lives if they wanted, but didn’t.
What they desired: A better country, a city with foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
How it all made God feel about them: He said call me the God of Abraham, let people know I’m that guy’s God.
Focus fuels faith
These people mentioned in Hebrews 11 did many things by faith, but where did that faith come from?
What makes the people of God a puzzle is that they have the opportunity to go back to their old lives yet choose with all their hearts to pursue God even where it makes them worse off on earth and they won’t get the full experience of God in this life.
That tells me faith depends on the focus of our hearts and our minds!
James 1:7 tells us a double-minded person “must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord”. That person doesn’t have faith.
That same James goes on to say “….purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
It’s no contradiction. The reason the person is doubting is because their heart is in two places. That kills faith.
Where’s your heart? Where’s your mind?
It takes faith to live as a Christian, but it takes more than believing the truth to walk in faith.
Focus your heart.
Many people know and believe the truth and yet never stand for God because their hearts are divided.
John 12:42-43 says “many even of the authorities believed in [Jesus], but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it,…for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
Focus your mind.
Paul reminded the Philippians that their citizenship is in heaven — the same thing as Hebrews 11. He encouraged them because of that, to imitate him, as opposed to those who “walk as enemies of the cross of Christ…with minds set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:17-21).
Pray this
As always, the Psalmist gives us words.
Pray for a heart that loves and focuses on God using Psalm 86:11: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
Next Week
Hebrews 11: 23 – 40 | What More Shall I Say?
Next week, if God wills, we go from Moses’ parents all the way to the end! It’s going to be a wild ride. Please pray for it.
Show your progress and encourage someone
Please think about recording a video of yourself singing a verse for me to include in the next post!
What was the 'secret' to the faith of the people in Hebrews 11?