“Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40
The first verse in Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. In verse 39, the author of Hebrews writes that while the Old Testament Heroes of Faith were commended for their faith, none of them received what had been promised.
For some of us, our circumstances or missing loved ones make the holidays especially difficult. Like us, several of the heroes listed in Hebrews 11 had difficult circumstances but were blessed by God. Their hope and the focus of their faith was on God and the promises of God.
According to verse 40, God had a better plan both for us and for those from the Old Testament. As we wait expectantly this Christmas season, may we remember that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises. He is our Savior and through Him we are redeemed and have eternal life. With faith and perseverance, our circumstances do not have the final word.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Son to be born and live among us. Thank you that through Jesus Christ, we are made perfect and have eternal life. May this hope and our faith guide us through any circumstance we face. As the Old Testament heroes provided a legacy of faith for us, let us continue this legacy of faith and perseverance so that others around us will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Emelia Howell