Hebrews 11:29-31

Summary retelling of Hebrews 11:29-31

Through faith in God, the Hebrew people walked across dry land when crossing the Red Sea.  However, since the Egyptians lacked the faith, they were drowned when they attempted to do what the Hebrew people could only do in faith.  By faith the walls of Jericho fell when there was no physical reason for them to do so.  Because of faith Rahab was saved when all the other people of Jericho were killed by the Hebrew people.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This passage tells us that faith can do the impossible.  The walls of Jericho fall down.  Water evacuates a portion of the Red Sea.  We should note, however, that this is not implying at all that the power to do these things came from the people themselves.  The power to do these things came from God.  It was God responsible for acting in a way to benefit His people.  In fact, it is really from God that we receive our faith, anyway.  The point, however, is that since God can do the impossible, those people with faith can expect to experience the impossible as well.

What impossible things have happened to you?  Does the impossible have to always be an event?  What impossible thoughts have you had or impossible choices have you made?

Second Thought:

We also see that the opposite is true.  Without faith, one cannot expect or rely upon the impossible.  The Egyptians try and cross over the Red Sea and they drowned.  It isn’t that God couldn’t have held the ground open for them; God chose not to do so.  Without faith, there is no reason to expect the impossible.

From this perspective, why does it seem so hopeless to not have faith?  What kind of impossible things would a person without faith miss out on?

Third Thought:

The third example we see with respect to faith is the example of Rahab.  She and her family were saved when all of the other people of Jericho were lost.  The lesson?  Faith saves.  Faith can indeed do the impossible.

Do you think you can be saved without faith?  In what way is salvation considered impossible?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 11:32-34