Faith includes me in this great cloud of witnesses, being cheered on and cheering on others. It makes me think of a marathon wherein I am both runner and in the crowd giving encouragement. The difference being we’re not competing against each other but helping each other to the finish line, where we all receive the crown of life.
V. 40, we are made perfect together, as community.
The Valley of Dry Bones is a story I can't get out of my head this morning. I chose to do an audio version again and while listening, I was just thinking about how, through their faith, their stories are alive, active, and life giving. The Spirit is moving and reanimating them, even now, but only through our own faith. It is like a now but not yet resurrection... they are dead, yes, but their testimony is alive and it is doing more than they ever did in life.
Because of God's infinite love for us and infinite ability to forgive, he works through humans, building faith in all who desire to seek it, through the mundane and horrific challenges within their lives, accomplishing miraculous changes uniting our faith with His!
My favorite story of faith in Hebrews is difficult for me to choose as several of them were my marching songs. I have appreciated this study as it unified many faith stories in Hebrews 11. I am refreshed that God works in all of us; all our brokenness, insecurities, wrong choices, and God. I feel renewed in faith!
I read aloud from the First Nations translation today, which was wonderful and especially poignant when I came to vs. 13-16.
I was also struck by vs 23, how Moses being a beautiful child was the impetus for Jochabed’s courage in defying Pharoah. As someone who struggles so often with fear, (and thinks I just have to grit my teeth and try harder and push through) I frequently forget that beauty and joy are some of the most powerful catalysts for moving forward in courage! Like in Heb 12, Jesus enduring the cross “for the joy set before Him.”
I had picked my six book and was ready to go, when I bumped into the invitation to this six-week, slow read of Hebrews 11, long one of my favorite chapters.
I was so drawn to this that I immediately went back and revised my original year-long, six-book plan. I tasked an a.i. chatbot to help me reframe the reading of the other five books for the year in six-week paths, with a one-week retreat in between the books, and to follow the weekly pattern we've followed here. I called it "A Year of Learning Jesus." I'm not signing on to be a guide, but if any of I'll want to see the plan, I'm happy to share it. Or maybe have some fun: pick your own set of books for the balance of 2026 and ask Claude (Anthropic) to help shape your own customized pathway. Or, if a.i. is still little scary, just set out on your own.
Today what stands out for me is v. 40 - God promised something better for us. So although these folks were written about years and years ago, we have each have Jesus today.
“Not see death” “events yet unseen” “looking forward to a city” “having seen the things promised” “saw the child was beautiful” “looking to the reward” … ch 12, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.”
What we see, where we set our eyes, what we look toward… really matters
They looked better in the face and decided nothing on this earth would suffice. It makes me feel like I’ve seen better and decided lesser was better. My hunger has returned.
My favorites - “What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised, because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect.”
Hebrews 11 reminds us of the rich history of the ones before us who trusted God’s promises enough to let their faith guide their actions. Our faith stories will be intertwined with theirs.
By faith they trusted God and focused on the future reward, their true home.
I like the detail of Moses instituting the Passover as a holiday before it even occurred. The confidence and faith is amazing.
I was struck by that too as I had never picked up on that before.
Faith includes me in this great cloud of witnesses, being cheered on and cheering on others. It makes me think of a marathon wherein I am both runner and in the crowd giving encouragement. The difference being we’re not competing against each other but helping each other to the finish line, where we all receive the crown of life.
V. 40, we are made perfect together, as community.
Isn't it wonderful?!
Indeed, it is!
The Valley of Dry Bones is a story I can't get out of my head this morning. I chose to do an audio version again and while listening, I was just thinking about how, through their faith, their stories are alive, active, and life giving. The Spirit is moving and reanimating them, even now, but only through our own faith. It is like a now but not yet resurrection... they are dead, yes, but their testimony is alive and it is doing more than they ever did in life.
Amen, amen!
Because of God's infinite love for us and infinite ability to forgive, he works through humans, building faith in all who desire to seek it, through the mundane and horrific challenges within their lives, accomplishing miraculous changes uniting our faith with His!
My favorite story of faith in Hebrews is difficult for me to choose as several of them were my marching songs. I have appreciated this study as it unified many faith stories in Hebrews 11. I am refreshed that God works in all of us; all our brokenness, insecurities, wrong choices, and God. I feel renewed in faith!
I read aloud from the First Nations translation today, which was wonderful and especially poignant when I came to vs. 13-16.
I was also struck by vs 23, how Moses being a beautiful child was the impetus for Jochabed’s courage in defying Pharoah. As someone who struggles so often with fear, (and thinks I just have to grit my teeth and try harder and push through) I frequently forget that beauty and joy are some of the most powerful catalysts for moving forward in courage! Like in Heb 12, Jesus enduring the cross “for the joy set before Him.”
For the joy! Let it be an anthem.
A thank you before I get into the day's meditation. The has been such a gift; thank you, JL and all y'all who have been on the journey together.
At the end of 2025, I had just put together my reading plan for 2026: six books of the Bible, two months each. I was following a suggestion from Pastor David Cassidy of Spanish River Church in Boca Raton: https://www.davidpcassidy.com/blog/reading-the-bible-in-2025-consider-a-different-approach?mc
I had picked my six book and was ready to go, when I bumped into the invitation to this six-week, slow read of Hebrews 11, long one of my favorite chapters.
I was so drawn to this that I immediately went back and revised my original year-long, six-book plan. I tasked an a.i. chatbot to help me reframe the reading of the other five books for the year in six-week paths, with a one-week retreat in between the books, and to follow the weekly pattern we've followed here. I called it "A Year of Learning Jesus." I'm not signing on to be a guide, but if any of I'll want to see the plan, I'm happy to share it. Or maybe have some fun: pick your own set of books for the balance of 2026 and ask Claude (Anthropic) to help shape your own customized pathway. Or, if a.i. is still little scary, just set out on your own.
It's been a gift to me, too! I love reading with so many beautiful, wise souls.
I'd like to see that plan, please.
Margaret, I can email or text, a you prefer. Let me know.
Arthur, please email me @ mags1brown@gmail.com. thanks!
Today what stands out for me is v. 40 - God promised something better for us. So although these folks were written about years and years ago, we have each have Jesus today.
“Conviction of things not seen”
“Not see death” “events yet unseen” “looking forward to a city” “having seen the things promised” “saw the child was beautiful” “looking to the reward” … ch 12, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.”
What we see, where we set our eyes, what we look toward… really matters
And this is a lesson I have to relearn every three or four days.
What sticks out to me is “this world is not my home.” We aren’t meant to be too comfortable.
They looked better in the face and decided nothing on this earth would suffice. It makes me feel like I’ve seen better and decided lesser was better. My hunger has returned.
My favorites - “What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised, because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect.”
Hebrews 11:39-40 GNT
Hebrews 11 reminds us of the rich history of the ones before us who trusted God’s promises enough to let their faith guide their actions. Our faith stories will be intertwined with theirs.
Vs 40 stood out to me today.
Are you doing another deep dive after this? I have loved it.