October 7, 2020

Unknown Future, Known God

Hebrews 11:17–40

Allison Freet
Wednesday's Devo

October 7, 2020

Wednesday's Devo

October 7, 2020

Central Truth

The future may be unknown to us, but it is not unknown to God. He is orchestrating all things to fulfill His good purpose. 

Key Verse | Hebrews 11:39-40

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:17–40

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, 1 11:37 Some manuscripts add they were tempted they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Footnotes

[1] 11:37 Some manuscripts add they were tempted

Dive Deeper | Hebrews 11:17–40

In college, I took a personality test, and the results revealed that one of my character strengths was "futuristic." As I read the description of the trait, I could not help but laugh at the irony of it. Yes, I love to dream and plan and work toward a goal, but, at the same time, the future terrifies me. What if something bad happens? What if my dreams are never achieved? Something labeled as my strength was also my weakness. Have you ever felt this way about the future?

As we read in Hebrews 11:17-40, we see story after story of men and women who acted in obedience, even when their present situation seemed outrageous (Hebrews 11:18), risky (Hebrews 11:31), or dangerous (Hebrews 11:32-37). The future was unknown to them, but God was not. In each of the listed stories, I cannot help but be convicted by the strength of the people's faith. 

God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only (and promised) son. He did not hesitate.

God asked Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. He admitted his fear (Exodus 4:13), but he trusted God anyway (Exodus 7:6). 

God asked the people of Israel to march around the walls of Jericho for seven days, and they did so.

The people we read about in this chapter never received what they had been promised (Hebrews 11:13, 39). In fact, they did not live long enough to see the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus. But we, as believers in 2020, have bulletproof evidence in and through the work of Jesus that God is faithful to complete His good work. How much more then ought we to have faith that God holds our tomorrows? How much more ought we to trust that God is who He says He is? 

As you begin today, face it with faith. Trust in the God who has been faithful to complete a good work in you (Philippians 1:6). The God who holds tomorrow is holding you today and always (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:25-27). He will provide because He always does.

Discussion Questions

1. What are you worried or anxious about today? Spend some time in prayer and confess those things to the Lord. 

2. What aspect of the future are you holding on to that the Lord may be asking you to give up? 

3. In what ways have you seen the Lord's faithfulness in your life? Remind yourself of the ways that God has proven Himself faithful to you. Then, trust that He will remain faithful in whatever you are facing today.