Hebrews 11:17–40 (NKJV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
The words “by faith” appear in this reading 11 times, and “through faith” once. Faith is vitally important. It is only by God-given faith that anyone listed in this reading was able to withstand a test, believe in a promise from God, overcome impossible odds, endure torture, be kept safe from hungry lions, remain strong even when weak, march through enemy territory, withstand temptation, defeat attackers who outnumbered them greatly, avoid certain death, offer up one’s own son, and not deny God’s promises even while being killed. To be sure, only faith in God’s promises can do these utterly miraculous things, for ultimately it is God Himself doing it.
Each week we recite these words in the Divine Liturgy: “I, a poor, miserable sinner…” It is good that we do, for not only is the statement true, but to recite and believe these words about ourselves places us in the right position before God—the position of understanding that we are, in and of ourselves, hopeless, hapless, and helpless either to save ourselves or have anything at all to do with our salvation, forgiveness, or deliverance from any kind of evil or hardship. All those in today’s reading understood this, and the only thing they had to survive spiritually was God-given faith in His promises of deliverance; that was all they needed.
We do well to remember that even the faith we have is God’s gift to us; Eph 2:8-9, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it (faith) is a gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast.” We boast in God’s work for us in and through Christ.
By faith in Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection for you, you also will be able to withstand everything the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh throw at you.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for paying for my sins and giving me Your promises that You never break. Strengthen me in the one true faith so that I may live, die, and rise again in You. Amen.
