Hebrews 11:1

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

When God says to humankind, “Believe,” he demands something beyond reason. Faith is totally illogical and its very definition has to do with something unreasonable. Think about it: Hebrews says that faith is the substance of something hoped for, the evidence that is unseen (see Hebrews 11:1). We are being told, in short, “There is no tangible substance or any evidence at all.” Yet we are asked to believe.

The fact is, we all face challenging circumstances in this life. Yet I believe if we can understand the nature of faith — its illogical, unreasonable nature — we will find the help we need to get through.

Let’s consider Abraham. God told him, “Get up, go out, and leave your country.” Surely Abraham wondered, “Where am I to go, Lord?” But God just told him to go!

This was not logical; in fact, it seemed unreasonable. If a husband came home and told his wife they were moving immediately, she would have all kinds of questions. Where? Why? How? When? And it would not be acceptable for him not to have answers.

But Abraham had heard from God! “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 packed up his family and set out, not knowing where they would end up. All he knew was that he had a brief word from God to go and the assurance that no harm would come to him.

Faith demanded that Abraham act on nothing more than a promise. He obeyed and the Word says, “He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

The Lord says to you, just as he said to Abraham, “I give you my Word and I will answer your cry.” “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him … The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34: 6, 15). Trust Him today to give you exactly what you need.