Hebrews 11:1 –
“Now faith is the assurance of the things we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

The ancients of old were commended for their faith. They were still living by faith when they died. They did not see the things promised (salvation in Christ), but only saw then from a distance.

They were strangers on earth longing and looking for a better country of their own, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God for he has prepared an eternal city for them.

By Faith –
Women received back their dead.  Many were tortured to death with clubs and refused to be released on terms of denying their faith. Others suffered flogging, were chained and imprisoned. They were stoned to death, sawed in two, put to death by the sword. They were utterly destitute, persecuted and mistreated. They wandered in the deserts, mountains, in caves and holes in the ground.
The world was not worthy of them.

By Faith –
Abel brought a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain and was deemed righteous.

Enoch did not have a glimpse of death, but was taken to heaven, for his life was acceptable and pleasing to God.

Without faith, it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to him. To come near to God, one must believe he exists. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen the hearts who are fully committed to him.

Noah forwarned by God with no signs visible, took heed to diligently and reverently build the ark for deliverance of his family and was passed judgement and deemed righteous.

Abraham when he was called by God, to go out, not knowing where he was going, went as a stranger in a strange country to a place which he was destined to receive an inheritance.
When put to the test in faith, he was willing to offer Isaac, to sacrifice his only son, knowing God was able to raise him from the dead.

Moses lead God’s people out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and the wilderness for them to enter the promised land.

Sarah received the promise to have power to conceive a child even when she was beyond the age for it because she knew God to be reliable, trustworthy, and true to his word and their descendents.

They were controlled and sustained by faith for they were looking, yearning, aspiring for a better country and promise.

Because of faith, the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab (the prostitute) was not destroyed because she received the spies in peace. So many more (Job, Daniel, David, Gideon, Samuel).

By Faith –
God’s power helped them subdue kingdoms, impart justice, obtain promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, extinguisted raging fire, escape the sword, won strength and became stelwart, mighty, and resistless in battle.

By Faith, In Christ –
Our common thread is we are strangers here on earth longing and looking for a better country, a heavenly one.  We are sojourners, this is not our home.

Are we fitting into this world, so very well?

Are we a little too comfortable here?

Does God commend us for our faith?