Week of July 20

“All these people” provides every true Christian with all they need to carry forward in steadfast faith! The author of Hebrews lays aside his discussion of Abraham for a moment in Hebrews 11 to offer some general remarks about those he had discussed to this point. They had lived their lives and died, still living out their faith in the Lord. They lived out their faith, even though they had not possessed finally what had been promised by God! “Make no mistake,” as Leon Morris writes, “‘all’ allows no exceptions” (EBC). They “all” died with full confidence in God because they were able to “see” the culmination of His promises. Praise the Lord for “all”! Let’s dive more deeply into our focal chapter today to receive encouragement to remain faithful.

All who truly live by faith cling with certainty to God’s promises amid life’s uncertainties. God had promised blessings to these folks long before we became believers. In Abraham’s case, there was absolutely no hope, humanly speaking, of having a son. The blessing was to come through an heir, and you cannot become a great people without a son to carry forward the family name. The writer has already claimed that Abraham “received what was promised” (6:15). The promise meant much more to Abraham than the birth of Isaac. The fullness of the blessing was what captured the hearts and lives of these men and women of faith—and it wasn’t temporal in nature.

Moses led the children of Israel for all those years in the wilderness to the edge of Canaan, but he did not set foot in it. He was only permitted to see it! He did not pluck out his beard, nor did he angrily throw his sandals at heaven (Deuteronomy 3:26-28; 34:1-4). He was allowed to “see” the Promised Land. The point in Hebrews 11 is that the eyes of faith enable one to have “an inner awareness of what the promises meant.” Who joined Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8)? Moses! He represented the Law and Elijah symbolized the prophets as they showed to the disciples the culmination of God’s promise in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We may say that Moses stood finally in the promised land, which would be true, but is a secondary point. The true prize was, and always must be, to men and women of faith, having fellowship with the Promised Man!

We’ve all known beloved people who lived in wonderful marriages for decades and who endured great grief over the passing of and separation from a loved one when he or she died (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). To a person, the spouse who was left behind, has said, “I would gladly give up all that I have here in this life to see his (or her) dear face one more time!” Temporal possessions mean little to these precious souls without their soul mates beside them. Almost without fail, whenever I have discussions with these saints about their sorrow and longing to see their loved ones again, the ultimate desire is to see them in the presence of the Lord! We know that their longing will be satisfied in eternity, the true and lasting home for “all” who are a part of God’s family.

I’m sure that “all” the great saints of the ages, and you the great throng of contemporary Christ-followers, would sing with me when I say, “Just give me Jesus!”

1. Clinging to the promises of God provides encouragement but being held in the arms of the Promise sustains us through every trial! Cast off your cares today and fall into the arms of Christ.

2. For Families: Larry and Shawna and Karen know delightful little girls in Nigeria with the name “Precious.” Others have meaningful names too, like “Faithful,” “Joyful,” or “Promise” or “Hope.” Christians for centuries have given their children names that speak of God’s character or the traits of mature Christian discipleship. Children grow into these names and most often come to embody them as adults. 

Puritans used to name their children entire verses, like “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.” In fact, Praise God Barebones was a famous early 17th century Baptist leader with this very name! 

This week, ask your children to consider and to pray about a name they would most like to represent them as they grow older. Encourage them to make a sign for their bedroom door that uses this new name, along with their own first and middle names you gave them. Call each other by your “new names” for one whole day and pray for each other, that God will take pleasure in your lives of faith.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock