Reaching for the Heavens

Reasons for Hebrews 11 It can be tempting to expect the Christian life to be easy and smooth because God is with us and to become angry or disappointed with God because we think that He has failed us. But the Christian life was never supposed to be an easy life. In Hebrews 11, the spirit of God tells us suffering awaits us, but we will be victorious, through faith, if we imitate the women and men of the past. And even though they died without receiving the things promised, they were victorious through and in their faith. Faith doesn’t mean there are no longer struggles, doubts, and tears. Faith means that in the middle of it all, we remain firm in our belief that the God who formed the universe “rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith means that in the middle of our despair, we know that the Lord is faithful and good. Faith means accepting that we are strangers and aliens on earth. Faith waits for the city built by God, even when we are tortured (emotionally, spiritually, or physically), jeered, stoned, mistreated, and persecuted—even when it is painful to wander in deserts and mountains and to hide in caves and holes in the ground—even when we lose battles. Hardship (“privation, deprivation, destitution, poverty, austerity, penury, want, need, neediness, impecuniousness, misfortune, distress, suffering, affliction, trouble, pain, misery, wretchedness, tribulation, adversity, trials, trials and tribulations, dire straits” ) is the norm in the life of God’s children. Indeed, the Holy Spirit tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2–3). He reminds us, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory” (Romans 8:17). We are further told, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12–13). And “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children” (Hebrews 12:7). For, “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.” —Hebrews 11:6 Famous for Their Faith These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13–16 ESV) Today, we are praised, but it hasn’t always been like that. Where you see victories, we saw battles and tears. Where you see glory, we saw dust, loneliness, and questions. We were so different from one another but had three things in common: adversities, faith in God, and hope. Today, we are heroes. Yesterday, we were only weak soldiers. We stumbled and were tempted to give up, but we knew God. We didn’t know that much about Him, but we knew Him. We knew He was the only God. We knew He was good. We knew He was faithful. We knew the victory was His. Sometimes, it was hard to believe in Him. Sometimes it was hard to believe Him. He used to make promises that seemed irrational. I say, “He used to,” but He is still doing that today, isn’t He? He promised victories where there were no weapons. He promised children where there was no womb able to carry them. He promised water in the desert and security in the wilderness. Life had been tough. I remember being on the verge of choosing the easiest road. But I knew that the Lord is God. I knew He couldn’t deceive me. I knew He wouldn’t disappoint me. So, I looked to Him, and I don’t regret my decision. My name is Emet. My story isn’t in the Holy Scriptures, but you can enjoy the stories of my fellow saints. For, “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” (Hebrews 11:6).