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Last Sunday, we introduced a new song by Keith and Kristen Getty called By Faith. I chose the song because of its strong tie to Hebrews chapter 11, often referred to as the “faith chapter.” The lyric is rich in Biblical history and offers us strong encouragement. The phrase “by faith” occurs eighteen times in chapter 11 alone. As I read through Hebrews 11, I see at least three things that I’d want us to think about as we sing this song.

1. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Try as we may, we cannot please God purely on our own effort. The writer of Hebrews gives us Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph among others who pleased God because they trusted Him and looked to the reward. My favorite is Moses who, according to verse 26, “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” When every natural instinct was to stay in Egypt and be comfortable, he looked to the reward, which is God Himself, and chose the reproach of Christ.
2. The writers of Hebrews and of our song are showing us that every major event in Biblical history that pleased God was done by faith. We are taken on a tour of the Bible as it surveys the patriarchs, the prophets, the Judges and the Kings. I love songs that help us remember Biblical truth.
3. The chorus of By Faith encourages us to stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. It lets us know that we are part of a much larger story and then gives us an important instruction.

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We walk by faith and not by sight

The instruction for how to live a life by faith is in the second line of the chorus. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, our soul’s reward, He will enable us to walk by faith and not by sight. That’s what all the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 had in common – they were looking, along with Abraham, for a city whose architect and builder is God. That pursuit enabled them to do great things for God. May it be so for us as well.

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand…

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand…