“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Hebrews 11:13
Is it possible to please God? The Bible declares that it is possible. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). However, one cannot please God without faith. Faith here means “a knowledge of, assent to and confidence in certain divine truths, especially those of the gospel as produces good works.” There is a list of people recorded in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews who believed God is, by faith, and then lived diligently seeking Him. They believed God’s promises. The most important, life-changing promise of God, was that He would send One, Jesus, who would bring reconciliation between man and God (see Genesis 3:15). Each of the people listed in Hebrews chapter eleven diligently sought God, trusting that God would reward them for their faithfulness to Him; for they looked forward to Jesus’ coming. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). Persuaded means “to be convinced; to believe.” Embraced means “to welcome; to receive gladly – referring to the promises.” They believed and gladly received these promises.
Many lived by faith as “strangers and pilgrims”, obviously differently, for others often recognized God was with them. Is the New Testament the only place these faithful (whom God was with) are mentioned? Recall just a few described as such in the Old Testament:
- Abraham: Others recognized this: “… Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest” (Genesis 21:22), see also
- Isaac: Others recognized this: “And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee …”Genesis 26:28.
- Joseph: “2. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3. And his master saw that the LORD was with him …” (Genesis 39:2-3).
- Moses: “According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses” (Joshua 1:17). God had been with Moses and promised to be with Joshua, too. “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee” (Joshua 3:7).
- Phinehas: “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him” (1 Chronicles 9:20).
- Joshua: A promise: “And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee” (Deuteronomy 31:23). And it was fulfilled: “So the LORD was with Joshua …” (Joshua 6:27).
- Judges (there were thirteen judges): “And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge …” (Judges 2:18).
- Samuel: “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him …” (1 Samuel 3:19).
- Young David: “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him” (1 Samuel 18:14). Others recognized this: “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite … and the LORD is with him” (1 Samuel 16:18); see also 1 Samuel 18:12, 28.
- King David: “So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him” (1 Chronicles 11:9).
- King Solomon: “And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly” (2 Chronicles 1:1).
- King Jehoshaphat: “3. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4. But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel” (2 Chronicles 17:3-4).
- Hezekiah: “And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth …” (2 Kings 18:7). And so many more!
As we remember some from the Old Testament, we acknowledge they believed God, sought after Him, walked with Him, desired to please Him, and God was with them. Christians are to recognize their perseverance. However, not all people chose to live a life pleasing to God. Yet those who chose to walk with God help us recognize the importance of trusting in Christ (who came as God promised), to restore the life that had been lost because of sin. What an encouragement!
Likewise, Christians today are to reveal an active participation of faith in their lives. “6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). Stablished means “to turn resolutely in a certain direction; strengthen.” True faith produces good works (a changed life).
Have you received Jesus, by faith, now walking actively turning resolutely toward Jesus who strengthens us?