The Faithfulness of Pilgrims
Provided by Debbie’s Father
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb 11:13 NKJV
Faithfulness is the attribute in a person characterized by a firmness in a commitment and a consistent behavior that meets an obligation or promise. It is seen as trustworthiness for a person with a stewardship (an obligation). Paul said that believers are stewards of the Gospel (the mysteries of God) and that, “In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” 1 Cor. 4:1–2.
This Faithful Friday is a good time to look at what a faithful steward means. In the passage at the top from Hebrews, the writer cited the faith of Abel, Noah, Enoch, Abraham, and Sarah in the preceding verses 1-12 – people who were examples of those who endured the difficulties of life yet always remaining faithful in their trust in God. In verse 13, the writer lists what these five people were like:
- They Endured – They endured to the end of this life and died not receiving the promise (of seeing their Redeemer) in this life. Yet they believed and trusted in God for the promise to come.
- They Envisioned – They were sustained by their belief in a new home provided by God, where they could worship Him. That new home was a” heavenly one.” (cf. 11:16).
- They Embraced – The Greek word in the text refers to the concept of “welcoming” or “greeting”. Their embrace of the hope in the new home was a welcoming thought.
- They Confessed – They acknowledged that this life – this place, was not their home. It is not the end. It was a temporary residence, and they were strangers (an outsider to the world and its ways) and pilgrims (travelers on a journey to different destination). This was their testimony, and they knew their destination.
An inspiring worship song by Steve Green (Find us Faithful, 1988) conveys this thought very well. The lyrics begin like this:
We’re pilgrims on the journey ,Of the narrow road,
And those who’ve gone before us, Line the way.
Cheering on the faithful, Encouraging the weary,
Their lives a stirring testament To God’s sustaining grace.
O may all who come behind us Find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion Light their way.
May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live Inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us Find us faithful.
Abel, Noah, Enoch, Abraham, and Sarah have gone before us and in Green’s song, he envisions them lined up along the narrow way of our life, cheering an encouraging us to remain faithful! Yes, may all who come behind us find us faithful, too!