The Hall of Fame is an institution that honors individuals in a specific activity or field such as sports, entertainment, medicine, literature, etc. They are remembered for their impact on society in their given field. Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, and Maya Angelou are a few people who have left an indelible mark on society. Though they are remembered for their work in the secular arena, how many of them will be remembered for their faith?
How many celebrities and ordinary people will be in the Hall of Faith? Will you be in there?
In Hebrews, the author (though unknown) lists Old Testament heroes who demonstrated faith in their lives we can learn and emulate. Abel, for example, demonstrated he was a righteous man by giving a more acceptable offering to God than Cain. Abel’s attitude and sacrifice pleased God. Faith led Enoch to be taken up to heaven without dying for he disappeared, because God took him.
We have faith because we understand the universe was created by God’s command from something we cannot see into something tangible (Hebrews 11:3). We demonstrate true faith when we believe, in addition to His character, God’s promises will be fulfilled despite a delay. God promised Abraham would inherit a new land and be the father of many descendants and nations. He didn’t know what he would encounter on his journey to the Promised Land, but he walked by faith, not by sight. He and his wife Sarah were also promised a child in their old age. Though Sarah laughed at the possibility, she gave birth as God promised. Likewise, Noah built a boat to save himself and his family from a flood. He obeyed God’s instructions. After he built the boat, God flooded the earth to wipe away every living creature.
These individuals, among others, exemplifyed faith as they obeyed God’s commands and instructions. Despite their shortcomings, their faith earned them a spot in the Hall of Faith.
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. Hebrews 11:1-2
Life with Adrian 