Look forward

^{My Dad and I talked about the mind blowing verse, Genesis 1:1, often.}

^{In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.}

^{There was nothing, then there was the earth. Mind blowing. Adrian Rogers said that if you can get past this verse, you have the Bible licked. Man can’t begin to understand or believe this verse. In fact, man is dependent on God to accept this truth. Without Him, it can’t be believed.}

^{From Genesis 1:1 through the entire Bible, we are 100% dependent on Him, as He is “the author of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)}

^{This is precisely why man’s title for Hebrews 11 is a bit puzzling.}

^{Often called “the faith hall of fame” or “great heroes of faith,” these titles have always bothered me. After all, God is the giver of faith. Every one of the people mentioned in this chapter glorified God with their life. The last thing they wanted was any credit for their faith.}

^{Hebrews 11 is not about the glorification of any man. Rather, Hebrews 11 is about how man looked forward and trusted God to fulfill His promise. It is future oriented. Over and over again, we are called to look forward, past the present.}

^{For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city of foundations, whose architect and builder was God. Hebrews 11:10}

^{All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.” Hebrews 11:13-14}

^{“He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.” Hebrews 11:26}

^{“Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.” Hebrews 11:35-38}

^{“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” Hebrews 11:39}

^{On earth, those mentioned in Hebrews 11 had to persevere. Life was hard. They were “aliens and strangers on earth,” (Hebrews 11:13) They lived, longing for what they were promised, eternal life with God. “They were too good for this world.”}

^{They looked forward to the promise. Looking forward is how they endured. Looking forward is how they persevered. Looking forward gave them peace, rest, hope.}

^{So, does today have you beaten down? Are you in a season of perseverance? Does the light of hope seem dim or even extinguished?}

^{Look forward.}

^{Is someone you love in a season of perseverance? A place where the world offers no peace?}

^{Remind them to look forward.}

^{The reality is that we must all daily look forward. Security can never be found in health, people, money, business, anything on earth. They all fail at some point.}

^{Let Hebrews 11 remind us to look forward to the only One that does offer that security. The One that doesn’t fail. The One that has the script in His hands. The One that is with you always.}

^{“….. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:20}

^{Impact others. Live generously.}