Most of us can relate to facing difficult challenges that can shake our foundations, such as losing a job, dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, navigating tough relationships, or battling personal health issues. These challenges can feel overwhelming and leave us questioning everything. It's human nature to want to escape these circumstances, often blaming ourselves or others. We may even believe that a good life is just for a lucky few, far out of our reach.

However, our current study of Hebrews 11, as part of our Gallery series, provides a different perspective. We are delving into the lives of individuals who demonstrated incredible faith in God despite their flaws and setbacks. But what is faith?

Let's break it down simply:

Faith is about trusting God when you can't see the whole picture or when things don't make sense. It's like believing that a chair will hold you when you sit without testing it first, or trusting that a plane will safely take you to your destination without knowing all about it. Faith means relying on God's promises and His plan for your life, even when things are uncertain or challenging. It's saying, "I don't have all the answers, but I trust who's in control."

In Hebrews 11:27, we read about Moses: "It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He kept going right because he kept his eyes on the one who was invisible." Moses didn't have the whole picture, but he trusted God through every challenge and uncertainty.

As we reflect on the story of Moses, it’s important to remember that God’s character remains consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments. God is just and compassionate. While the Old Testament often demonstrates His justice and the consequences of sin, it also reveals His kindness, forgiveness, and the promise of redemption. This continues in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ embodies God’s justice in addressing sin and His love in offering salvation. God’s relationship with humanity shifts from obedience to grace, always seeking reconciliation with us.

Moses, as a leader, faced numerous challenges. Leading the Israelites out of Egypt was no easy feat. They complained constantly, rebelled against leadership, and often failed to trust God’s provision. Moses struggled under the weight of his role, even lamenting to God about the burden of leading such stubborn people (Numbers 11:10-15). Despite his close relationship with God, Moses stumbled when he let his frustration take over, striking the rock in anger instead of speaking to it as God had instructed (Numbers 20:2-11). This disobedience led to a severe consequence: Moses would not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Despite Moses’ failure, God did not abandon him. Instead, He took Moses to Mount Nebo, allowing him to see the Promised Land from a distance (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). This act of showing Moses the land, even though he would not enter it, demonstrates God’s grace and understanding. God personally buried Moses, highlighting a touching, intimate moment between the Creator and His servant.

The story reminds us that true faith is tested not in comfort, but in hardship. The heroes of Hebrews 11, including Moses, displayed their faith not when everything was going well, but when they faced trials and uncertainties. Each of them had moments of self-reliance and doubt, yet God used their faith to demonstrate His glory. Sometimes, God only gives us a glimpse of His plan, enough to prompt us to respond by faith, not by sight. This "holy tension" between knowing and not knowing helps us grow spiritually. As C.S. Lewis famously said, "God whispers to us in our pleasure, but He shouts to us in our pain." God uses our trials to get our attention and draw us closer to Him.

Remember, God's love for us never wavers. Even when we face consequences for our actions, His compassion and desire for reconciliation remain. Faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting the One who does. So, when life is hard and the road seems unclear, hold on to faith. Trust that God, in His justice and love, is guiding you toward His perfect plan.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." – 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

Let's continue to walk by faith, trusting in God's promises and His unchanging character. No matter the trials we face, we can rest in the assurance that God is in control and will never leave our side.