Monday
Faith Has the Proper Foundation
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
In 1859, tightrope walker Charles Blondin became famous for crossing Niagara Falls on a rope over a thousand feet long. He amazed crowds by walking backward, blindfolded, even pushing a wheelbarrow across. Then he turned to the audience and asked, “Do you believe I can carry someone across in this wheelbarrow?” Everyone cheered, “Yes!” Blondin smiled and said, “Who will volunteer?” Silence fell. Not one person stepped forward.
That’s the difference between professing faith and practicing faith. Everyone believed Blondin could do it, but no one trusted him enough to climb in. Real faith steps into the wheelbarrow, it’s confidence not in ourselves, but in the One who never fails.
The writer of Hebrews says faith is “assurance” and “conviction.” It’s more than optimism; it’s the certainty that God’s promises are true even when they’re unseen. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each built their lives on that solid foundation. They didn’t know the outcome, but they knew the One who held it.
Faith is obeying even when you don’t understand.” That’s why Hebrews 11 begins not with heroes who saw everything clearly, but with people who simply trusted God completely.
Reflection Questions:
1. What step of obedience is God calling you to take today that requires real faith?
2. How does your trust in God’s Word give you stability when life feels uncertain?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust You even when I can’t see what You’re doing. Strengthen my faith to rest in Your promises and walk in Your truth. Amen.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
In 1859, tightrope walker Charles Blondin became famous for crossing Niagara Falls on a rope over a thousand feet long. He amazed crowds by walking backward, blindfolded, even pushing a wheelbarrow across. Then he turned to the audience and asked, “Do you believe I can carry someone across in this wheelbarrow?” Everyone cheered, “Yes!” Blondin smiled and said, “Who will volunteer?” Silence fell. Not one person stepped forward.
That’s the difference between professing faith and practicing faith. Everyone believed Blondin could do it, but no one trusted him enough to climb in. Real faith steps into the wheelbarrow, it’s confidence not in ourselves, but in the One who never fails.
The writer of Hebrews says faith is “assurance” and “conviction.” It’s more than optimism; it’s the certainty that God’s promises are true even when they’re unseen. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each built their lives on that solid foundation. They didn’t know the outcome, but they knew the One who held it.
Faith is obeying even when you don’t understand.” That’s why Hebrews 11 begins not with heroes who saw everything clearly, but with people who simply trusted God completely.
Reflection Questions:
1. What step of obedience is God calling you to take today that requires real faith?
2. How does your trust in God’s Word give you stability when life feels uncertain?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust You even when I can’t see what You’re doing. Strengthen my faith to rest in Your promises and walk in Your truth. Amen.
Tuesday
Faith Has a Pattern to Follow (Abel and Enoch)
“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain… By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death…” Hebrews 11:4–6 (ESV)
In 1738, John Wesley returned to England after a disappointing mission trip to Georgia. Though a preacher, he admitted, “I went to America to convert others, but oh, who shall convert me?” A few months later, he attended a small Bible study on Aldersgate Street, where he heard the words from Romans about faith in Christ. Wesley said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I knew I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation.” From that moment, his ministry changed forever because true faith begins in the heart of worship.
That’s what Abel showed us. He offered God the best, not the leftovers. His worship reflected real faith; faith that honors God first. Cain’s offering was convenient; Abel’s was costly. God still looks for that kind of worship today.
Then there’s Enoch, whose faith was so steady that he “walked with God” until one day he simply walked into eternity. He didn’t build a city, lead an army, or write a book, but he pleased God by staying close to Him.
Faith worships, and faith walks. It doesn’t live for applause but for intimacy with the Lord. Abel teaches us to give God our best; Enoch shows us how to stay close every day.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is one way you can offer God your best this week in time, effort, or worship?
2. What would it look like for you to “walk with God” daily like Enoch?
Prayer:
Father, I want to worship You with all my heart and walk closely with You each day. Keep me faithful in the small steps of obedience. Amen.
“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain… By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death…” Hebrews 11:4–6 (ESV)
In 1738, John Wesley returned to England after a disappointing mission trip to Georgia. Though a preacher, he admitted, “I went to America to convert others, but oh, who shall convert me?” A few months later, he attended a small Bible study on Aldersgate Street, where he heard the words from Romans about faith in Christ. Wesley said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I knew I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation.” From that moment, his ministry changed forever because true faith begins in the heart of worship.
That’s what Abel showed us. He offered God the best, not the leftovers. His worship reflected real faith; faith that honors God first. Cain’s offering was convenient; Abel’s was costly. God still looks for that kind of worship today.
Then there’s Enoch, whose faith was so steady that he “walked with God” until one day he simply walked into eternity. He didn’t build a city, lead an army, or write a book, but he pleased God by staying close to Him.
Faith worships, and faith walks. It doesn’t live for applause but for intimacy with the Lord. Abel teaches us to give God our best; Enoch shows us how to stay close every day.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is one way you can offer God your best this week in time, effort, or worship?
2. What would it look like for you to “walk with God” daily like Enoch?
Prayer:
Father, I want to worship You with all my heart and walk closely with You each day. Keep me faithful in the small steps of obedience. Amen.
Wednesday
Faith Has a Pattern to Follow (Noah, Abraham, and Moses)
“By faith Noah… constructed an ark… By faith Abraham obeyed… By faith Moses… refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…” Hebrews 11:7–29 (ESV)
In 1947, missionary Gladys Aylward led over 100 orphans through the mountains of China to escape invading forces. She faced exhaustion, hunger, and danger at every turn. One night, she confessed, “I can’t go on.” A young girl reminded her of the story of Moses leading God’s people through the Red Sea. Gladys sighed, “But I’m not Moses.” The little girl smiled, “No, but God is still God.” That’s the heart of faith; it works, waits, and wars, not because we’re strong, but because God is faithful.
Noah’s faith worked when he built the ark, though he’d never seen rain. Abraham’s faith waited through decades of delay, trusting that God’s promise was still coming. Moses’ faith warred against fear and comfort as he chose God’s call over Pharaoh’s palace.
These heroes weren’t perfect, but they persevered because they believed the unseen was more real than the visible. That’s why Hebrews 11 is not a hall of fame, it’s a hall of faith.
Reflection Questions:
1. Which of these examples, Noah, Abraham, or Moses, most challenges your walk with God right now?
2. Where might God be calling you to step out and trust Him even when it’s difficult?
Prayer:
Lord, give me the courage to act when You call, to wait when You delay, and to fight when faith is tested. You are always faithful. Amen.
“By faith Noah… constructed an ark… By faith Abraham obeyed… By faith Moses… refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…” Hebrews 11:7–29 (ESV)
In 1947, missionary Gladys Aylward led over 100 orphans through the mountains of China to escape invading forces. She faced exhaustion, hunger, and danger at every turn. One night, she confessed, “I can’t go on.” A young girl reminded her of the story of Moses leading God’s people through the Red Sea. Gladys sighed, “But I’m not Moses.” The little girl smiled, “No, but God is still God.” That’s the heart of faith; it works, waits, and wars, not because we’re strong, but because God is faithful.
Noah’s faith worked when he built the ark, though he’d never seen rain. Abraham’s faith waited through decades of delay, trusting that God’s promise was still coming. Moses’ faith warred against fear and comfort as he chose God’s call over Pharaoh’s palace.
These heroes weren’t perfect, but they persevered because they believed the unseen was more real than the visible. That’s why Hebrews 11 is not a hall of fame, it’s a hall of faith.
Reflection Questions:
1. Which of these examples, Noah, Abraham, or Moses, most challenges your walk with God right now?
2. Where might God be calling you to step out and trust Him even when it’s difficult?
Prayer:
Lord, give me the courage to act when You call, to wait when You delay, and to fight when faith is tested. You are always faithful. Amen.
Thursday
Faith Has a Promise for the Future
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets…” Hebrews 11:32 (ESV)
In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast, a 26-mile journey. After swimming for 15 hours, she grew weary and asked to be pulled into the boat. Moments later, she discovered the shore was less than half a mile away. Later, she told reporters, “I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the shore, I think I could have made it.”
Faith is what lets us keep swimming when we can’t see the shore. The saints in Hebrews 11 clung to promises that outlasted their pain. They “did not receive what was promised,” but they trusted that God was preparing something better.
This world wasn’t worthy of them, and yet they looked ahead to something greater, the heavenly reward God had planned. Faith looks beyond today’s struggle to tomorrow’s glory.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does keeping your eyes on eternity help you persevere through hardship?
2. What promise from God do you need to hold tightly to this week?
Prayer:
God, when I can’t see the shore, give me eyes of faith. Help me to fix my hope on You and trust that Your promises are better than anything this world offers. Amen.
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets…” Hebrews 11:32 (ESV)
In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast, a 26-mile journey. After swimming for 15 hours, she grew weary and asked to be pulled into the boat. Moments later, she discovered the shore was less than half a mile away. Later, she told reporters, “I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the shore, I think I could have made it.”
Faith is what lets us keep swimming when we can’t see the shore. The saints in Hebrews 11 clung to promises that outlasted their pain. They “did not receive what was promised,” but they trusted that God was preparing something better.
This world wasn’t worthy of them, and yet they looked ahead to something greater, the heavenly reward God had planned. Faith looks beyond today’s struggle to tomorrow’s glory.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does keeping your eyes on eternity help you persevere through hardship?
2. What promise from God do you need to hold tightly to this week?
Prayer:
God, when I can’t see the shore, give me eyes of faith. Help me to fix my hope on You and trust that Your promises are better than anything this world offers. Amen.
Friday
Faith Has a Pattern to Follow (Joshua and Rahab – Faith Winning)
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish…” Hebrews 11:30–31 (ESV)
A teacher once asked her class to write down how they’d win a battle with an enemy city. Answers included “bombs,” “planes,” and “tanks.” One boy raised his hand and said, “I’d just walk around it seven times and blow a trumpet.” The teacher smiled, “That’s creative.” The boy grinned, “No, that’s Bible!”
Joshua and Rahab both remind us that faith wins in ways the world can’t understand. Joshua obeyed God’s strange instructions, and the walls of Jericho fell. Rahab trusted God enough to hide the spies, and her entire family was saved.
Faith doesn’t always look logical. It often looks laughable. But when God is the commander, victory isn’t about strategy; it’s about surrender. The same faith that conquered Jericho still conquers fear, doubt, and despair today. Faith wins because God never loses.
Reflection Questions:
1. What “walls” in your life might God be calling you to trust Him to bring down?
2. How can you demonstrate bold obedience even when God’s plan doesn’t make sense?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to follow You even when I can’t see the outcome. Teach me that victory comes not from my strength, but from simple, surrendered faith. Amen.
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish…” Hebrews 11:30–31 (ESV)
A teacher once asked her class to write down how they’d win a battle with an enemy city. Answers included “bombs,” “planes,” and “tanks.” One boy raised his hand and said, “I’d just walk around it seven times and blow a trumpet.” The teacher smiled, “That’s creative.” The boy grinned, “No, that’s Bible!”
Joshua and Rahab both remind us that faith wins in ways the world can’t understand. Joshua obeyed God’s strange instructions, and the walls of Jericho fell. Rahab trusted God enough to hide the spies, and her entire family was saved.
Faith doesn’t always look logical. It often looks laughable. But when God is the commander, victory isn’t about strategy; it’s about surrender. The same faith that conquered Jericho still conquers fear, doubt, and despair today. Faith wins because God never loses.
Reflection Questions:
1. What “walls” in your life might God be calling you to trust Him to bring down?
2. How can you demonstrate bold obedience even when God’s plan doesn’t make sense?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to follow You even when I can’t see the outcome. Teach me that victory comes not from my strength, but from simple, surrendered faith. Amen.
Posted in Jesus Is Better: The Book of Hebrews
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