Hebrews 11 opens with explaining what faith is: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And then it goes on the give several examples of things people received through faith.
11:4, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain …”
11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death …”
11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house …”
11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
11:9, “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country …”
11:11, “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered a child when she was past age …”
11:17, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”
11:20, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.”
11:21, “By faith Jacob, when he was a dying blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”
11:22, “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.”
11:23, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents …”
11:24, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt …”
11:27, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king …”
11:28, “Through faith he kept the passover …”
11:29, “By faith they passed through the Red Sea …”
11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down …”
11:31, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”
And so forth …
The pattern is “by faith…” So much can and is accomplished by and through faith. It is how we move forward, it is the only way to move forward. So looking back in my life, I have to ask myself, how have I moved forward by faith? If I write my own “By faith” chapter, what would it say?
By faith Shaleah …
By faith Shaleah …
By faith Shaleah …
What would yours say?
The Book of Mormon has a pattern of the importance of remembering. Remembering and recognizing the moments we have acted and received in faith will build and strengthen our gratitude for the Savior. I want to remember.
