Hebrews 11

By Faith: Living in the Deep Knowing of God

The Kind of Faith Hebrews 11 Is Really Talking About

When we open Hebrews 11, the phrase “by faith” echoes again and again—like a rhythm beating through the entire chapter. And right from verse one, we’re given a definition that carries so much weight: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” That’s not a casual optimism or blind leap into the unknown. No, this kind of faith is deep, rooted, immovable.

We’ve come to understand “faith” today as something that’s fuzzy, mystical, or maybe even uncertain. But biblically speaking, it was never meant to be separated from knowledge and truth. Faith, in its original context, was a way of knowing—as sure and solid as the ground beneath our feet. It was never supposed to be faith versus science, or belief versus fact. Those dichotomies came later, around the Enlightenment, when people began pulling apart things God meant to be integrated.

When Hebrews talks about people living by faith, it’s not saying they lived by religious hope or vague trust in something they couldn’t really explain. It’s saying they lived with the deep, unshakable conviction that God is who He says He is, and that His promises are real—even if they hadn’t seen them come true yet.

Faith Is for Today, Not Just for Eternity

Hebrews 11 isn’t just a roll call of heroes—it’s an invitation. Verse 6 reminds us, “Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.” And that faith isn’t just about salvation, it’s about living every part of life for the glory of God.

We’ve been given both a saving faith (the kind that justifies us before God) and a daily faith (the kind that sanctifies us as we follow Jesus). The day-to-day kind matters. It’s what shows up when we make small decisions, when we give, forgive, wait, love, and keep choosing obedience—even when no one else sees. That’s the kind of faith Hebrews 11 highlights.

And it’s not always glamorous. Sometimes, faith looks like praying for someone for 62 years without seeing results. Sometimes, it’s giving your money away or standing for truth even when it costs you socially. But we remember—this world isn’t our home. We’re living for a kingdom that we can’t see yet, but we know it’s real. Because God is real. And He’s working, even when it looks like nothing is happening.

What If We Don’t See the Fruit?

There’s something incredibly humbling and powerful in verses like 13 and 39: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised… yet they were commended for their faith.” That’s hard to swallow. They believed with full hearts and never saw the full picture. But they trusted anyway. Because they weren’t just living for what they could get—they were living for who God is.

That’s where we land, too. We might not see all the fruit in our lifetime. Maybe we’re sowing seeds that will bloom long after we’re gone. But God sees. God remembers. And God rewards.

Like the story of George Mueller praying for a friend for decades—only to have that prayer answered after his death. God is not limited by our timeline. He’s inviting us to join Him, to journey with Him, not just for the outcome but for the relationship.

Faith That’s Worth Everything

As Hebrews 11 wraps up, it paints a raw picture: people were persecuted, mistreated, living in caves—and yet “the world was not worthy of them.” That language sounds familiar. It sounds like Jesus.

We’re not called to be comfortable. We’re called to be faithful. That might mean desolate seasons, waiting seasons, confusing seasons. But those are the places where God meets us. Where He shapes us. Where we walk with Him.

And the beauty of it all? It's not life to death—it’s life to life. Eternal life. The kind that starts now as we follow Jesus and continues into forever.

So maybe we take a minute today. We look around our communities and say, “By faith, they…” And maybe we look at our own stories and say, “By faith, I…” God’s not done writing your chapter. And He’s not asking for perfection—just faith that knows, deep in its bones, that He is who He says He is.

Let’s keep walking. By faith.