Scripture

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.

Observation

It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho, and by faith Rahab gave a friendly welcome to the spies.

There are many other examples from Scripture of people who, by faith, overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised.

But there were others who were tortured and killed. These were too good for this world.

All of them earned a good reputation through their faith, but none received all that God had promised. God had something better in mind.

Application

All of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 are honoured because of their faith,Some we honour because they overcame evil, and others we honour because they refused to submit to evil.

But all of them had this in common – they did not receive the fullness of God’s promise. That was left for us.

God’s intention for all of history was that people move into full relationship with Him. What the patriarchs and prophets saw dimly was fully revealed in Christ. We now have the privilege to receive salvation by faith and to hold within us the Holy Spirit. They experienced God at a distance, as it were, but we know Him personally and intimately.

We were made for fellowship with God. Every human desire points to a higher fulfilment in Christ.

You and I have the privilege of being able to relate to God person to person, whenever we want.

This is the consummation of faith.

Prayer

Father God, I thank you for this awesome privilege of being called your child. Thank you for salvation in Christ and for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Amen