BY FAITH THEY HAD ASSURANCE

Passage: Hebrews 11:7-16

Key verse: 16

NIV

7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,(A) in holy fear built an ark(B) to save his family.(C) By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.(D)

8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,(E) obeyed and went,(F) even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land(G) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,(H) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.(I) 10 For he was looking forward to the city(J) with foundations,(K) whose architect and builder is God.(L) 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,(M) was enabled to bear children(N) because she[a] considered him faithful(O) who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,(P) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.(Q)

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;(R) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,(S) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.(T) 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.(U) 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.(V) Therefore God is not ashamed(W) to be called their God,(X) for he has prepared a city(Y) for them.

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was too old to have children—and Sarah herself was not able to conceive—was enabled to become a father because he
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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

7 By faith (A)Noah, being warned by God concerning (B)events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of (C)the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith (D)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place (E)that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in (F)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (G)living in tents (H)with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to (I)the city that has (J)foundations, (K)whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith (L)Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered (M)him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and (N)him as good as dead, were born descendants (O)as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, (P)not having received the things promised, but (Q)having seen them and greeted them from afar, and (R)having acknowledged that they were (S)strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, (T)they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed (U)to be called their God, for (V)he has prepared for them a city.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Although Noah did not see the flood coming, he believed in God's warning. He put his faith into action and built an ark (7). Even though he believed without seeing, the warning became a reality, and his act of faith delivered him and his family from condemnation.

Abraham left his hometown following God's direction without knowing the destination (8). When he came to Canaan, he accepted it as the promised land and lived as a foreigner in tents (9). His life of faith also led his family to believe in God. His wife Sarah put her faith in God and delivered a son who would carry out God's promise even though she had passed her childbearing age (11). Abraham's faith was passed to the next generation through Isaac and Jacob. Through them, God established a nation, a chosen people, as he had promised.

The people of faith received some promises fulfilled in their lives. But ultimately, they died still hoping to live in the Kingdom of God someday (13). Because of their faith, God was not ashamed to be called their God, for he prepared a place for them in heaven; in other words, their faith pleased God (16).

Prayer: Father, thank you for guiding me with your promise. Help me to trust in you fully and follow you as you lead me. Guide me to be a good influence to bring my family and friends to salvation by faith.

One Word: God assures me when I believe