Heralds Digest

"By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff." (Hebrews 11:21 NKJV) Promises from a man are limited by the mortality of the promise maker. Even with utmost sincerity, the fulfillment of promises from man is not guaranteed. However, the patriarch like Isaac, Jacob and Joseph had no doubt about the promises received from God, even on their dying beds. Since acquisition of God's promises is ageless, the benevolence of God is continuously replicated in a man of faith. Faith extends ageless benevolence to future generation with the generosity of a genuine benefactor.

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." (Hebrews 11:17 NKJV) In times of great needs, it is difficult for any benefactor to seek nothing else besides the fulfillment of promises made to him. Unlike most promise seekers, Abraham's faith in the potency of the Giver of promise overrode his desperate need to secure the promise - his only begotten son. He passed the test because he believed that He who brought Isaac from their dead bodies (Abraham and Sarah) is also able to bring him back from his dead body (Isaac). Only faith in the potency of the Promise-Giver can keep promises safe in the hands of their benefactors.

"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." (Hebrews 11:11 NKJV) The ages of Sarah and Abraham before the conception of Isaac leave little room to doubt the reports of their loss of reproductive power. While relying on these type of reports are useful for family planning purpose, anchoring on negative statements there-from often lead to blame shifting, frustration, and hurtful disagreement. By faith Sarah anchored on the promise of God, instead of leaning on her own understanding of aged body. With absolute faith in God, the age of a man does not limit his ability to dream.

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8 NKJV) Unlike in the days of Abraham, world globalization has significantly reduced the risk of immigration. Abraham had to leave the Ur of Chaldees without the knowledge of the position of the land of Canaan on the world map. Although he knew nothing about the culture, economy, location and the itinerary, he was satisfied about his confidence in the character and charisma of God, who led him in the way. Unfortunately today, the world's system knowledge increases at the expense of faith in God. Nevertheless, God's statement of faith is superior to the world's statement of facts, representing the most essential matter of the heart of man.

"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:7 NKJV) Given the strange warning about an impending flood of waters, it was commendable for Noah to succeed in securing the company of his family members on board. Apart from the strangeness of the flood phenomenon, the disengagement of Noah from apparently useful employments in order to build the ark (without existing prototype) is uncommon. The revelation of God's agenda in every believer's life, family and nation demands certain actions of faith. And without faith, it would be impossible to disengage from human fear to trust the Lord with unreasonable engagements.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) In the midst of an insatiable pursuit of pleasure from the system of the world, it is hard to be fascinated by fellowship with an invisible God of heaven. Unlike Enoch's type of border-less fellowship, consistent connection with heaven through all of human activities on earth is apparently a mystical experience. Enoch literally changed the venue of one of his normal fellowships with God from earth to heaven, without crossing the border of death. With faith-driven fellowship, access to God's presence is border-less and rewarding.

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." (Hebrews 11:4 NKJV) Service offering in every relationship in life is always a reflection of personal impression about the relationship. Like Cain's offering to God, oftentimes the quality of our service wears common excuses like nature of job, challenges of life, condition of living, etc. Cain was probably not convinced about the goodness of God, developing a negative impression from the story behind the expulsion of Adam and Eve (his parents) from the garden of Eden. However, Abel believed that God is good all the times, irrespective of what the circumstances of life threw at him. Excellent expressions are products of good impression; but without faith in God's goodness, there's no basis.