Hebrews 11:1-6; Psalm 125

Hebrews 11:1-6
Hebrews 11 is all about faith. Faith is a much misunderstood concept. Sometimes we think if we wish for or believe something HARD enough it will come to pass. This is not faith at all, but wishful thinking.

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. And so we must start with the fact that faith must be based in God's Word--the revelation that He has already given us. In addition, faith must be based on God's character--who He is--and on His promises. We can know these things only through studying and meditating on God's Word.

So let's look at Hebrews 11:1 in light of the above principles. "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." We believe what God has told us in the Scripture--this is faith! The chapter goes on to share many examples of believers from the Scriptures who were great examples of faith. We will see that they weren't perfect, but they trusted God--that He is Who He says He is and He means what He says!

The first example given in v. 3 is about the creation. "But faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." No human being was there when when God created the world; we take His word for it! God spoke the world into existence showing how powerful His word is. It's vitally important that we listen to it.

v. 4 tells us that by faith Abel offered a more acceptable offering to God because he was obedient to what God asked for. It was a blood sacrifice which pictured Christ's future sacrifice on the cross (though Abel only dimly understood this if at all.) But he demonstrated his faith through his obedience to God's command.

Enoch was taken up into heaven without dying. He was known as a person who pleased God. "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he reward those who sincerely seek him." vv. 5-6

Psalm 125
"Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion..." The mountains surrounding Jerusalem were a natural fortress for her security, and they are symbolic of the security we have in the Lord.
Of course, no earthly example is perfect though God Himself IS perfect. Like a mountain He is secure and stable. Nothing can harm Him or change Him. vv. 1-2 This is the God in whom we trust.

Also, God is sovereign over the affairs of this world. He is in charge. Though He may allow wickedness for a time, ultimately, "the wicked will not rule the land of the godly,..." v. 3

Yes, we have a God in whom we can trust wholeheartedly.