Scripture

“Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised.” Hebrews 11:39

Reflections

The Christian life is one of trusting in promises.  Have you ever wondered if it is all a lie?  We go through this entire life looking forward to the life to come, without even having experienced it ourselves.

But faith is faith.  It is not a matter of proof for everything.  Hebrews 11 gives example after example of people who had lived by faith.  They experienced extraordinary things in this life but the promise of the life to come had yet to be experienced.  It remained a matter of faith.

There are those who try to prove the claims of Christianity, rendering faith unnecessary.  They go to extremes trying to demonstrate that it is all true.  They look for archaeological evidence of Noah’s Ark and the shroud that was wrapped around Christ’s body in order that they might believe.  They look to mysterious “after death” experiences to give them certainty because they do not trust in the scriptural witness of the resurrection.  But Christianity is not only about following proven facts.  It’s about trusting in promises, promises that abide in the scriptures.

We hear those promises and deep down within, there is a conviction that there is something more than the eye can see, something more than this earthly life.  It evades our scientific capacity to prove things.  It dwells deep within the soul.  We await the fulfillment of the promise.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the promises that come to me through the scriptures.  Continue to strengthen me by your Spirit that I might faithfully walk in your ways.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Hebrews 11:29-40