WAITING IN FAITH

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (The Message)
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.  By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.

By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.  By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That’s how it happened that from one man’s dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.


Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.

[We are currently challenging ourselves with a series of readings that tell the stories of other peoples who have gone through times of transition.  How might these readings apply to our lives today and the transition through which this church is currently moving?  Read the scripture,then meditate on the questions, and be prepared to share your thoughts next Sunday.]


1.  Do you see any connection between this reading and where First Christian Church stands today?
2.  Did Abraham have any real idea what he was starting when he chose to trust God?
3.  How can anyone build for tomorrow if they don’t see results today?