Faith and Trials
Hebrews 11:3-39
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And 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.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
By faith, Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 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. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Hebrews 11, often referred to as the “Hall of Faith,” is one of the most inspiring chapters in the New Testament. This passage recounts the stories of individuals who exhibited extraordinary faith in the midst of trials, offering a profound lesson on perseverance, trust, and the promises of God. It serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement for all who face challenges in their own lives.
The latter part of Hebrews 11 addresses those who endured severe trials and persecution for their faith. These individuals were tortured, imprisoned, and even killed, yet they refused to renounce their trust in God.
Hebrews 11 concludes by reminding us that these heroes of faith did not receive the full realization of God’s promises during their lifetimes. They saw them from a distance, trusting in God’s ultimate plan. This is a call to endurance, encouraging believers to remain steadfast, knowing that their faith is part of a larger divine story.
Hebrews 11 serves as a powerful reminder that faith is more than belief—it is a conviction that drives action, sustains us through trials, and anchors us in the promises of God.
Dear Lord,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the gift of faith. In moments of trial, strengthen our hearts and remind us of the great heroes of faith who trusted in Your promises. Help us to persevere, to act with conviction, and to rest in the assurance of Your ultimate plan. Anchor us firmly in hope, and may our trust in You be unwavering, no matter the challenges we face. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
This writing was produced with drafting support from Google AI and my personal thoughts.
Patrick Brown was born at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ on February 25th, 1949. He became a Christian Believer when he stepped off the plane in Vietnam in 1971. Since that time, he has devoted his life to the Lord through ministering as a Sunday School teacher in various churches in Mississippi. He is a graduate of Exploding Evangelism (EE) and certified as a Gospel Evangelist Trainer. Patrick is a member on staff at Christian Grandfather Magazine in charge of Daily Devotionals. He and his wife, Sherrilyn, enjoy retirement in Ridgeland, MS.
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Amen, Adversity or Trial is an opportunity for spiritual growth, that can uproot false beliefs and draw individuals closer to God, and their true spiritual self-hood. Through conscious effort and a steady focus on “Christ, ” individuals can “thrive in Trials,” turning trials into blessings and gaining deeper satisfaction from spiritual rather than material pursuits.
Your Friend -His servant,
Isaac Otieno