By Faith

Hebrews is one of my favorite books of the Bible. One of the many reasons I like it is because of chapter 11 entitled "By Faith". The Author of this book starts with the often-heard verse "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." And the end of that verse is not quoted as much, but it says, "This is what the ancients were commended for".  It then goes on to mention a few of the many faithful followers of Jesus. It talks about the difficulties they endured on this earth because they knew their hope was in another world. And they did not "see" Jesus come back to earth before they died but they died "being sure" it would happen.

This is one of those things that I think "I know", but I don't fully "get it". Because If I got it, I would be so much more bold for Christ. I would not care as much what this earth thought about me, and I would have more perseverance and faith in Jesus when trouble came my way. Hebrews 11 describes these faithful followers as "admitting that they were aliens and strangers on earth."

If I am being completely honest... this is not not what I love to admit. Can you imagine you or your friends being happy about saying this: "Yeah, I completely don't fit in on this earth, I am an outcast, Most people don't get me, etc". This shows me that I do not completely "get it" sometimes. If I am sticking with the theme of honesty, I like to fit in.

I will finish with the last challenge I found in this Chapter: Speaking about Moses....
"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."

Moses could have been King/Pharaoh of Egypt... he was in line for power, riches, an "easy" life... but he chose to worship the God who will give him a greater reward than this world could ever offer.

Give me the faith of Moses that I may pursue what is unseen and eternal.