Faith: do-able, you-able, and me too-able

The Word for today:
Hebrews 11:1-22

mark these:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Here we are, in Hebrews 11, at the Hall of Fame of Faith!

Over the next half-dozen days, we’re going to tour the Hall of Faith. We’re going to meet the most amazing cast of characters and re-tell their amazing exploits.

We’ll hear about Abraham and Sarah and Enoch and Abel and Samson and Deborah and Gideon and unnamed “others.”

But as we read their deeds of faith, don’t think of yourself as an outsider. We’re meant to be inspired by these stories of people just like us, who made the Hall of Faith despite (and sometimes because of) their doubts and neuroses and attitudes and wounds and worries.

This isn’t Cooperstown or Canton or Cleveland, where we go to count the stars of the diamond, or the gridiron, or the radio waves. Those Halls will never induct us, because most of us can’t hit the curve or the high note.

This Hall is different. It isn’t about setting new records or being at the center of the spotlight. This one is about following the Leader! We can all do that.

I once heard Bible teacher James MacDonald tell his students that—

“Faith is believing the Word of God 
and acting upon it,
no matter how I feel,
because God promises a good result.”

I wrote those words down and tucked them inside my Bible. Then I printed them on little placards and placed them where my teenage sons are most likely to see them—on the refrigerator.

Those words summarize the three Bible verses that have helped me understand what the Bible means by “faith.” Two of those three verses are found right here in Hebrews 11:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The other, the most instructive of all, is found at Luke 5:5--
But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)

Faith starts with the Word of God, then it follows: At your Word I will let down the net. It is not complicated or mysterious at all. It’s do-able and (if I may coin a phrase) it’s you-able.

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The signature line of Hebrews 11 is this one:

By faith Abel (11:4)
By faith Enoch (11:5)
By faith Noah (11:7)
By faith Abraham (11:8)
By faith Sarah (11:11)
By faith Isaac (11:20)
By faith Jacob (11:21)
By faith Joseph (11:22)
By faith Moses (11:23)
By faith Rahab (11:31)

I hope that among them, some day, will be your name and mine.  By faith.

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