Faith Tank Running on Empty? Hebrews 11 is Your Refueling Station
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 18
- 9 min read
Hebrews 11
The Main Message: Your faith tank is low. You've been running on empty, and the journey feels unbearable. Hebrews 11 is your refueling station. Instead of trying to muster up strength on your own, pause and soak in the stories of those who went before you. Their unwavering faith is the fuel you need. It reconnects you to the very source of their power—God Himself. This isn't about shaming you for being weak, but about empowering you with the stories of those who overcame.
The Transition to Hebrews 11
The transition to Hebrews 11 is a pivotal moment in the letter, representing a significant shift from theological exposition to practical application and encouragement. The author of Hebrews, having just concluded a profound discussion about the superiority of Jesus Christ and the new covenant, now pivots to a powerful call to endurance and a demonstration of what faith looks like in action.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews 11 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
The Theological Foundation
In the preceding chapters, the author meticulously builds a case for Jesus's supremacy. Chapters 1 through 10 establish that Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, and the Old Testament priesthood. The author presents Jesus as the great high priest, who offered a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, inaugurating a new and better covenant. This theological foundation culminates in Hebrews 10:19-25, which serves as a direct bridge to the Hall of Faith. This section encourages believers to draw near to God with a sincere heart, hold fast to their hope without wavering, and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The theological work is done; now, it's time to live it out.
Moving from what to believe to how to live it out
The transition is marked by a shift from the "why" to the "how." The author moves from explaining the theological basis of their faith to showing them how to live a life of faith. The audience, a group of believers facing intense persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism, needed more than just a theological lecture. They needed inspiration. They needed to see that their present struggles were not unique and that a faithful response was possible. The author provides this by calling to mind the "great cloud of witnesses"—the heroes of faith from the Old Testament. This transition is not an abrupt change of topic but a logical progression from belief to behavior. The faith described in Hebrews 11 is not a passive mental assent; it is an active, trusting response to God's promises, a response that the author wants his readers to emulate.
The Definition of Faith
The famous opening of Hebrews 11, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," serves as the new chapter's thesis statement. This definition immediately sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, providing a lens through which to view the lives of the Old Testament heroes. The author is essentially saying, "You want to know what this kind of faith looks like? Let me show you." He then proceeds to list examples, from Abel to Rahab, demonstrating how each one lived with a conviction that God's promises were true, even when the evidence was not yet visible. The examples illustrate that faith is not a feeling but a certainty about a future reality guaranteed by God's character.
Setting the Scene
Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith," and for good reason. It's a roster of heroes who, by faith, accomplished incredible things. But this isn't just a list of triumphs. The author of Hebrews is writing to a community that's on the verge of giving up. They're facing persecution and hardship and are tempted to abandon their faith for the comforts of the familiar. The author reminds them of their heritage, not to boast in the past, but to encourage them in the present. This chapter isn't about looking back but about looking forward with the same kind of faith that the ancients had. It's an encouragement to keep going, to finish the race.
The context of the letter is crucial. The early Christians faced intense social and political pressure. They were a peculiar people who didn't fit in with Roman society. They refused to worship the emperor or participate in pagan festivals, which made them outsiders. The author of Hebrews wants to remind them that their faith isn't a new invention but is rooted in a long history of people who lived by faith. The faith of these heroes wasn't a blind leap but a confident trust in God's character and His promises.
The author of Hebrews is showing that the faith of the Old Testament heroes was always pointing forward to Jesus. Their faith was in a promised future that they didn't get to fully experience. They were living in a kind of "already and not yet" reality—they had the promises, but they hadn't seen their ultimate fulfillment. Their faith was in a city they couldn't see, a promise they hadn't received, and a Savior they were anticipating. This is the faith that enables us to keep going, even when our current reality doesn't match God's promises.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
The heroes in Hebrews 11 died without seeing the full results of their faith. What promises are you waiting for, and how does their example help you keep trusting?
The Bible calls these heroes "strangers and exiles." Where do you feel like a "stranger" because of your faith, and how can you find joy in that identity?
In what ways do you see Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament stories and promises?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Share a time when you had to take a leap of faith without knowing the outcome. What was that experience like, and how did God prove faithful to you?
How to Apply These Lessons from Hebrews Today:
How does this ancient text apply to our lives today? Just like the original recipients of this letter, we too face temptations to give up. Maybe it's the slow, grinding reality of a difficult job, a challenging relationship, or a health struggle. Maybe it's the cultural pressure to compromise our beliefs for the sake of social acceptance. This passage reminds us that our faith isn't about seeing the destination but trusting the guide.
Living by faith today means we're called to embody the same kind of trust as the people in Hebrews 11. It means we trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when we can't see it. We're called to live as "strangers and exiles" (Hebrews 11:13), not because we're looking to escape this world, but because we're living for a better one. This isn't about disengagement but about a radical reorientation of our priorities. It means we invest our time, money, and energy in the kingdom of God rather than the kingdoms of this world. It means we live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Real-Life Scenarios:
Waiting on a breakthrough: You've been praying for a family member to come to faith for years, but nothing has changed. Your faith feels thin. Think about Abraham and Sarah, who waited decades for the promise of a son. They had moments of doubt and missteps, but they ultimately believed that God would do what He said. Their story reminds you that God's timing is perfect, and your faithful prayers are not in vain.
Dealing with injustice: You're a Christian professional who's been passed over for a promotion because you refuse to compromise your ethical standards. This feels unfair and discouraging. Remember Joseph, who was unjustly imprisoned for years but remained faithful. God was working in his life to prepare him for a greater purpose he couldn't see. Your faithfulness in the small things, even in the face of injustice, is preparing you for something far greater.
Feeling like an outsider: At school or work, your peers talk and behave in ways that go against your beliefs. You feel like you have to hide your faith to fit in. Moses, an Israelite raised in Pharaoh's court, chose to identify with his oppressed people rather than enjoy the temporary pleasures of Egypt. His story shows that our identity is not in the world's approval but in being a child of God, and that choosing this path, though difficult, leads to true freedom.
When your faith is weak or you just want a boost, go back to Hebrews 11. See it not just as a list on a page, but as a room full of people—your family in faith. They've been where you are, and they can encourage you. Pause and pray, asking God whose story you need to hear. Then, read the chapter with a keen ear to hear who God leads you to pause on. When you find that person, take the time to go back through the Scriptures and read their story. Soak in their circumstances and trials. What were they going through? Who was against them? How did they trust that God was leading them to a great place in spite of it all?
Make Hebrews 11 a regular part of your faith-building toolkit. Turn to it often, and let the stories of these heroes remind you that the faith to endure is a gift from God, and it's a legacy you are now a part of.
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