Hebrews 11:1-13, 17, 19, 23-26, 29-31, 39-40
Now TRUST is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By TRUST we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By TRUST Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By TRUST he was commended as a righteous man when God spoke well of his offerings. And by TRUST he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By TRUST 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. And without
TRUST 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.
By TRUST Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his TRUST he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by TRUST.
By TRUST Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By TRUST he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents as did Isaac and Jacob who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By TRUST Abraham, even though he was past age — and Sarah herself was barren — was enabled to become a father because he considered him TRUSTWORTHY who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by TRUST when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. . . . . . . . .
By TRUST Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. . . . Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. . . . By TRUST Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By TRUST Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. . . . . .
By TRUST the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. By TRUST the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. By TRUST the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. . . .These were all commended for their TRUST, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Additional: You may also want to experience the following two passages as a lectio exercise:
- Jeremiah 29.13—Seeking and finding
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18—Being constantly thankful