Command 36 : Ask in Faith | Day 249

Walk With the Heroes of Faith!

I remember only one thing from an entire college course on great biographies. However, this one statement has given me a valuable perspective for more than 50 years: "It takes a great person to write about the life of a great person."

This statement is true, because those who have accomplished great things in their own lives know what to look for in the lives of others who have significant achievements. Therefore, when God writes about the lives of those whom He considers to be great heroes of faith, we should pay close attention to what He says about them.

We can learn wisdom from those who are wise, and we can learn how to have faith from men and women of faith.

God's "hall of fame" in Hebrews 11 specifically names 16 heroes of faith. These men and women span history from Creation to the reign of King David.

The list begins with Abel, who “... offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain." Even though Abel was killed by his brother Cain, his faith still speaks to us today.

Enoch is listed next. He had the testimony “that he pleased God." Then there is Noah, who, “moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

The next five heroes of faith are from the same family: Abraham, who by faith traveled to a land that God led him to; Sarah, who by faith believed that God would give her a child in spite of her old age; Isaac, who by faith blessed his children; Jacob, who by faith blessed his grandchildren; and Joseph, who by faith commanded that his bones be taken to Canaan.

The ninth in the list is Moses, who by faith chose rather “... to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." Rahab is number ten, followed by four judges of Israel: Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah. David and Samuel are the final two heroes of faith mentioned by name on the list.

All of these faith heroes had one thing in common: they believed in a living God Who would reward all who sought Him.

I will never forget the bright summer day that God showed me this truth. I was walking home from my fifth-grade class at school quoting Hebrews 11:6. I didn't understand the repetition of the words "that he is." “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." (emphasis mine)

As I continued to meditate on this verse, the Holy Spirit showed me what it meant. The first "that he is" means that God exists. Not only is He a living God, but He will reward anyone who diligently seeks Him. I purposed that day to walk with God as my living heavenly Father and to seek Him diligently with my whole being.

Let's follow the example of the heroes of faith who diligently sought after God, and let us “... lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith ...” (Hebrews 12:1-2).