Heb. 11:1,6,13-16,24-26, Gentleness/Faithfulness

The Bible is filled, from cover to cover, with illustrations of “faithfulness.”  It must be since faithfulness is a hallmark of God’s character and is to be of man’s character as well.  In Prov. 3:3-4 we are told, Let not mercy and truth forsake you.  This “mercy and truth” is in Hebrew checed (goodness, sometimes translated lovingkindness or mercy) and emeth, which is the primary term for “firmness, faithfulness, truth, sureness, reliability” in the OT.  The two terms appear numerous times together.  The above passage urges this on all who would be wise.  One of the many passages where they speak of God is Ps. 85:10, anticipating the cross of Christ: Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.  A great prayer to pray is found in Ps. 86:11: Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.  This theme could go on for a long time, and I encourage you to pay attention for that term in the OT as you read.  Again, the NKJV translates it as “truth.”  It’s a good translation if you remember the connect between “faithfulness” and “truth.”  A true person is a faithful person.

Faithfulness is prominent in marriage.  In Song of Solomon, for example, you see it in the phrase My lover is mine and I am his (Song 2:16; 6:3; 7:10).  Likewise, This is my lover, this is my friend (5:16) expresses faithfulness.

As chapters go, Hebrews 11 is the most prominent sharing of illustrations of faithfulness.  You learn a lot about why these saints were faithful.

·       11:1: They believed God.  To trust in the faithful God the substance of things hoped for (i.e. it was as good as having it; even when they died without actual possession of what Christ offered, they knew God would be faithful).

·       11:6: Faithfulness to God’s word is essential if we are to please God.  This is what drives the saint.  In earthly relationships his goal is not to please himself or their spouse; it is to please God.

·       11:13-16: They have a strangers and pilgrims mentality.  That is the mentality that knows this life is not the sum total of existence.  It is very temporary.  The life to come is eternal, and it is better, and it is something God has prepared for them.  I can tell you by personal observation the panic and fear and stress exhibited by those who have no hope after this life.  We are not talking “escapism.”  A future hope helps me to be faithful TODAY, to apply myself diligently and selflessly and gently and faithfully to following Christ in the most difficult of relationships.

·       11:24-26: Faithfulness to God permits me to choose rather to suffer affliction … than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.  The key is that, as strangers and pilgrims, we look to the reward! 

How I pray, that in my life, and in yours, there will be seen a faithfulness to God in all our relationships and in all our work.  By His Spirit and grace!