Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

• Hebrews 11:13-16

“Like silent shadows, the heroes of the faith pass beside us, pointing us toward the upward way, whispering words of courage.
“The memory of all those models of righteousness now gone from view puts needed steel in our spirit, prompting us to press forward, always forward.
“The legacy of their powerful presence and penetrating pages adds depth to our otherwise superficial existence.
“Because their convictions live on in words that challenge today’s shallow thinking, we do not-we dare not-remain the same.
“I would challenge you to do some further reading about these heroes of the faith. Their lives and their words are there for our edification.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, The Finishing Touch (Devotion for week 43, Weekend)

When we have been called to do something, it may be daunting, but the great heroes of faith were at that point themselves.  We can take heart because others have gone that path and come out the other side.  They may not see the finish line, but they end up in God’s awaiting arms anyway.

The point Rev. Swindoll is making is to stand firm in faith.  God will see you through.

But in some cases, you may have faith in where you stand, but God has a different plan.  He still stands with you, but you may find the foundation beneath you crumbling.  You must never lose faith, but you may need to alter your plan.  Prayer and guidance may be needed to take one step to the left or right and get on the path God wants for you.  When you look at the Hall of Fame of faith that follows the Hebrews Scripture above, you find a lot of great heroes, and they all made mistakes.  Abraham had a child with Hagar.  Jacob did a lot of naughty things.  Judah went to a shrine for a false god and thought he slept with the shrine prostitute.  David had Uriah killed to cover up his infidelity.  But God foresees our warts.  He looks over them, and He forgives.  We simply have faith and try to align with God’s plan.  When everything is clicking, and God is being glorified, we might just be on the right road.

But then there is the wrong road.  Others have taken that road also.  It did not turn out so well.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.