Living Boldly in View of God’s Promises
Adapted from Treasures of Faith
Sharon and Chuck Betters
Today’s Treasure
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Dear Friends,
In 1999 Chuck and I co-authored Treasures of Faith, Living Boldly in View of God’s Promises. Chuck preached through Hebrews 11 and I condensed his messages into twelve chapters. The study required drove me deeper into the heart of God and filled me with awe of how He sanctifies broken sinners like me. A few months ago, I checked the Treasures of Faith link on Amazon and was disappointed to see that all the positive reviews of this book had been removed. Only one review remained and clearly, the reviewer hated our book! The bottom line complaint was that we focused on the sinful side of the great patriarchs and matriarchs of our faith. I wished I could speak with this reviewer and say, “You are correct. Hebrews 11 is not a treatise on “be like Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, etc.” It is a glorious picture of how God redeems our sinful actions and brings beauty from ashes. We relate to each one of these people because the Bible pulls back the curtain on their hearts. They are us! And the same promise-keeping God is ours as well.
Over the next few weeks I will share devotionals adapted from Treasures of Faith, starting with this excerpt from the introduction:
“Is God really sovereign? Can I trust Him now even in this?” The steady virulent progress of a malignant brain tumor gave real urgency to these questions for David. The disease had progressed relentlessly, a cure seemed unlikely. David knew he didn't have much time. He wanted his last few days on earth to count, to reflect a heart in tune with God's purposes. David wanted to know - he needed to know - if this painful death was really from God's hand. Would God care for his young wife and three children after he was gone? Would He really walk with him through the valley of the shadow of death? David needed to trust God. But how would he - how could he?
“We understand David's questions. When our son Mark and his friend Kelly were killed in a car accident on July 6, 1993, our own struggle to survive nearly consumed us. Slowly and surely, however, God reminded us that just surviving is not enough. We needed a purpose, a reason to keep moving forward, or we were never going to make it. But, like David, we were weary, uncertain of whether we could really trust the God who was calling us to persevere.
“Our search for answers led us to the book of Hebrews. This book of the Bible was most likely originally a series of short sermons written for people just like us - people tempted to give up their faith in the face of great hardship. These Hebrews, Jewish Christians for the most part who lived during the 1st century, were persecuted and afraid and discouraged. Some had already abandoned the faith and had returned to their former lifestyles. Others were sorely tempted to do so. Could God, through their faith, redeem their pain and give it meaning? Could this painful path actually help them to encourage others in their faith or to help draw unbelievers to the heart of God (2 Corinthians 2: 15 – 17)?
“Indeed, it could - but how? By faith. Where does that kind of faith come from? From God. He is the one who controls every detail of our lives. He is the one who loves us more than His own life. Such a faith can gently whisper God does all things well even when the heart cries out “Where are you God? Where are you?”
How do we cultivate this kind of faith? We find part of the answer in Hebrews 11.
We need a faith that is real, that is alive, a faith that holds up in the nitty gritty problems and sorrows of everyday life. Such a faith is not some abstract concept but a shining and useful tool in our hands. The Hebrew believers needed desperately to remember God had made a covenant, a binding promise. God promised to strengthen His people, to love them, to be with them, to redeem them. Like us, sometimes they forgot God keeps His promises:
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 2319
The author of Hebrews, in Chapter 11, reminds us that since God kept His promises of the past we can also trust Him to keep His promises for the present and for the future. In Hebrews 11 we are given a priceless vision of what God has already accomplished through the covenant and through the faithful men and women who trusted Him. We are also given an encouraging glimpse of what lies ahead for us because of that same covenant, a vision that gives our lives and work here on earth new meaning. Spurred on by this vision we can persevere, by faith, no matter what our circumstances can be. (Excerpted from Treasures of Faith, pages 1, 2)
I hope these devotionals will whet your appetite and encourage you to dig deep into Hebrews 11 on your own. And if you prefer to read the entire book, go to P&R is offering Treasures of Faith for a special price of $3.00 each! And the Leader’s Guide for $2.00. Supplies are limited.
Hebrews 11 is one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament. I’m eager to share some of the treasures of faith God gave to us through this little book.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
PS – if you remember reading or studying Treasures of Faith, I wouldn’t mind you leaving a rating or review on Amazon! For reasons no one knows, Amazon won’t add back the positive reviews.
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Sharon W. Betters is the author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, co-author of Treasures of Faith. and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non-profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.