PRAYER + PRAISE
A Faith that Completes
- Adam Cole // August 26, 2009
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. —Hebrews 11: 39-40
In Hebrews, the book that speaks mostly to the newly converted and the seeking Jews, the author gives a very deep and multi-faceted account to the primacy of Jesus Christ. He spends most of the chapter in linking the authoritative order of the high priest to Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, who went into the heavenly tabernacle to sacrifice for us.
In Chapter 11, we are able to see another avenue that leads ultimately to the acceptance of Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. He describes the essence of faith, being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And describes the great Hebrew people that walked in faith, like Abraham, Moses, and Noah.
But as much as they were acclaimed for their faith and saw the wondrous fruits of that faith, their faith was lacking, was incomplete…because the ultimate test of faith, giving faith in the Lord, Jesus, had yet to come. Very literally, many of those great faith leaders had not received the promise, specifically Abraham who never fully dwelt in the Promised Land. But the promise for them, and for each of us, is eternal life. We just have to accept that promise and live by faith.
The Message Bible reads verse 40 like this: God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.
God’s plan for salvation was to create a whole, through His Son. Only then can we all experience that amazing promise.
Faith. Let it drive you in this world. Let it drive you to Christ.
Praise: That through faith, we are secured of the promise.
Prayer: That we live in faith, that we give our lives as those did before us.
Prayer for Today: Thank You, Lord, for today, as every day. Thank You for the chance to be in You and live for You. Please give us a Spirit of faith today, a Spirit that calls us to walk boldly in You and be assured of the eternal promise. Let all realize that we live in a fractured world only made whole by Your Son. It is in His Name, we pray. Amen.