Thought 240
Hebrews 11
Really listen to this passage…
Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders
obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were
framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear.
By faith Abel
offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained
witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being
dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he
should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for
before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of
things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his
house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called
to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he
sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in
tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
For he looked
for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Through faith
also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a
child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Therefore
sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the
sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that
say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they
had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for
them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was
said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was
able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a
figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to
come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of
Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
By faith
Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel;
and gave commandment concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when
he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a
proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
By faith
Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's
daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had
respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook
Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is
invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of
blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith they
passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do
were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about
seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that
believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon,
and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of
the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
Quenched the
violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received
their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had
trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were
stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted,
tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts,
and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all,
having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having
provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made
perfect.
Hebrews 11 KJV
