Faith that Looks Ahead

 

October 31. 2025

Hebrews 11:1–16

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 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.

4 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.

5 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.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 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.

7 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.

8 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. 9 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. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 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.

13 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. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 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.

Hebrew 12:1–3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Faith, as described by the writer of Hebrews, is "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." It is the belief that God's promises are more reliable than our present circumstances and that His unseen reality is more lasting than what is visible around us.

Hebrews 11 describes people who lived by that conviction. Abraham set out “not knowing where he was going.” Sarah believed she could bear a child long after hope should have died. Moses chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy Egypt’s fleeting pleasures. Each one anchored their life not in what they could see, but in what God had promised.

Those individuals we are told about passed away still waiting, “not having received the things promised, but having seen them and welcomed them from a distance.” Faith turned them into sojourners in this world, moving forward, yet often tired, sometimes unsure but always believing that God was preparing “a better country, a heavenly one.”

Our faith lives in that tension as well. We believe in promises not yet fulfilled, redemption not yet complete, prayers not yet answered. Hebrews reminds us that faith is active endurance. The faith talked about in Hebrews 11 above keeps moving forward, like a runner in a race, because the finish line is certain.

That’s why Hebrews 12 turns our attention to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” He endured the cross for the joy that lay ahead. Jesus focused on the Father’s glory and our salvation, and that vision gave Him strength through the pain. I believe that our faith grows in the same way, by looking forward and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

So, maybe today you’re feeling worn out from waiting, for healing, reconciliation, maybe clarity, or for something to finally make sense. The message of Hebrews isn’t about ignoring the struggle but Hebrews inspires us toward holding onto the promise: God remains faithful, and as you have heard me say many times, God's story isn’t over yet. Faith doesn’t erase the tension we may experience; but faith does help us endure it with hope. The same God who sustained Abraham and Sarah, Moses and Rahab, will sustain us too.


Let's Pray


God, help me to run the race set before me with my eyes fixed on Jesus. When I feel weary, remind me of Your promises. When the finish line seems distant, fill me with the joy that sustained Jesus. Teach me to trust that You are preparing a better, eternal, and good country. Amen.