Monday, August 4, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old — and Sarah herself was barren — because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. (NRSV)

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Reflection

It was my first “trust” fall.

I was in sixth grade and on a Boy Scout camping trip at a farm outside Dubuque, Iowa. The challenge: stand blindfolded atop a wooden picnic table and fall backwards. As I fell, the arms of my fellow scouts met me before I collided with the ground and guided me back to my feet.

I cannot say this test required great faith for me. But, then again, I was shorter and weighed far less than Henry Schlarman, who took the same challenge right after me and was extremely anxious we would fail him. We did not.

In this Hebrews sermon, God wants us to take the ultimate trust fall.

The opening verses set the stage: faith is not just wishful thinking; it is the assurance of what we hope for and the conviction of what we cannot yet see. This inner certainty is what Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard called the “qualitative leap” believers make.

Consider Abraham and Sarah. God called Abraham to leave everything familiar and journey to a land he had never seen, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness. How, in human rational terms, absurd. Yet Abraham and Sarah followed.

This is the essence of faith: to believe God’s promises even when our human senses tell us otherwise. It requires a willingness to let go of what we know and leap into the unknown, trusting in the God who called us.

It is the ultimate trust leap.

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Prayer

Dear God, forgive my unbelief and my tendency to focus only on what I can see. Strengthen my faith and give me courage to leap into your loving arms today and every day. Amen.

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Written by Phil Calian, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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