Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

Read

Hebrews 11:23-31 (NRSV)

By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

Reflect

Our story continues with more “by faith” examples: Moses’ parents hid him for 3 months after he was born. A grown up Moses refused the privileges of Egyptian royalty, choosing instead a hard life. Later he would keep the Passover Feast and sprinkle blood on each household so the firstborn wouldn’t die. Israel walked through the Red Sea and made it to dry land while the Egyptians drowned. Israelites marched around the city of Jericho for 7 days until the walls finally crumbled. Because the Jericho prostitute, Rahab, welcomed the Israelite spies, she and her family were spared when the city fell.

At this point a sense of drama is building, almost like in an old classic movie when it feels as if something else is about to happen. If you are familiar with the life of Moses, the story of Israel leaving Egypt for the Promised Land, and the Jericho walls finally tumbling down, then you know that these short verses in Hebrews 11 only scratch the surface of what really happened. If you don’t know all the stories, look them up in the scriptures. They provide some pretty amazing examples for us as we seek to strengthen our faith. Tomorrow we will see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Pray

God, through the great faith heroes found in Hebrews 11, you show us that our acts of faith are pleasing to you. Help us to continue to have faith in your promises. Amen.

Go with God.