I woke up yesterday morning with the song “Hymn of Heaven” from Phil Wickham playing over and over in my mind. In the song it mentions standing beside the heroes of the faith in heaven. It inspired me to read Hebrews chapter 11 about the heroes of faith and glean from their steadfastness and bold faith.
I saw something in the accounts of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah – a pattern, if you will.
The Lord moved first. He gave them some instruction, or a word, or a promise. Then they responded in faith to His instruction, His word, or His promise. They didn’t operate in “blind faith”. They had something to stand on, something infallible; but they had to hear it before they could act on it.
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7.
Noah had a warning from the Lord and then he prepared.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8.
Abraham was called to go out by the Lord and then he obeyed.
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11.
Sarah had a promise from the Lord and then she judged Him faithful and received strength through His promise.
God went first – the faith giants responded with preparation, obedience, and faith.
In John chapter 4, the nobleman had a decision to make at a critical moment in his life. His son was sick at the point of death. He traveled to find Jesus to get help for his dying son and implored Jesus to come down and heal his son. Jesus said, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe” (John 4:48). The nobleman again urges Jesus to come down with him before his son dies. This is how he envisioned this healing taking place, that Jesus would come with him and heal his boy. But Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives” (John 4:50).
This was the moment of decision. These were the words his faith was invited to grab onto. It was now the nobleman’s move. He could stay and refuse to let Jesus leave his side until He went with him to heal his son. Or he could heed the Lord’s word – which already had healing in it – and go home to his boy, believing the words – “Your son lives”.
One of the most simple actions of faith, in my opinion, is what this man did next. “So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way” (John 4:50).
He had a word from Jesus. He believed the word and he went home. This was the moment of healing.
On his way home he was met by his servants on the road who told him his boy was healed.
He had a word to believe and to act on. The outcome was a guarantee.
- What specific word do we have from the Lord?
- What specific promise do we have from the Lord?
- What specific dream or vision do we have from the Lord?
The heroes of faith are cheering us on in heaven to run our race. We will stand beside them one day and share our faith victories with one another. If we could only see it like heaven sees it – we would stay in the race. Your victory is right around the corner! Hold on to your word from the Lord.