What Faith Really Looks Like (Hebrews 11:1–40)
Have you ever wondered what it means to have faith? Is it just believing in something you can’t see? Or is it something deeper?
In Hebrews 11, sometimes called the “Faith Hall of Fame,” we’re given real-life examples of people who trusted God even when it was hard, confusing, or dangerous. This chapter shows us that faith is more than words—it’s action, obedience, and trust.
Let’s explore what faith looks like in real life.
Faith Is Confidence in the Unseen
The chapter begins with this powerful definition:
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith means trusting God even when we can’t see the full picture. It’s believing His promises, even when we don’t know how everything will work out.
Examples of Faith from the Past
The writer of Hebrews gives us a long list of people who lived by faith. Here are a few highlights:
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Abel gave his best offering to God (v.4)
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Enoch walked so closely with God that he didn’t die—God just took him (v.5)
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Noah built an ark before it ever rained, simply because God told him to (v.7)
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Abraham left his home not knowing where God was leading him (v.8)
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Sarah believed God would give her a child, even in old age (v.11)
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Moses’ parents hid him by faith (v.23), and Moses gave up a life of comfort to suffer with God’s people (v.24–27)
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Rahab, a woman with a difficult past, trusted God and helped His people (v.31)
Each of these people took steps that didn’t make sense to the world around them. But they believed God—and acted on that belief.
They Didn’t Always See the Promise Right Away
One of the most important messages in this chapter is this:
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” (v.13)
That means they trusted God even when they didn’t get what they hoped for in their lifetime. They believed that God was preparing something better—and they were right.
Faith isn’t about getting everything now. It’s about trusting that God is faithful—no matter what.
Faith Leads to Victory… and Sometimes Suffering
The writer goes on to list many other heroes of faith—like Gideon, David, and Samuel—who saw amazing victories:
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They defeated enemies
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Escaped danger
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Survived lions and fire
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Became strong when they were weak
But then it takes a turn. Others who had great faith also suffered:
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Some were beaten, jailed, or killed
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Others lived in poverty or were rejected
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They wandered without homes, yet God says “the world was not worthy of them” (v.38)
Faith doesn’t always lead to comfort, but it always leads to God.
We’re Part of the Story Too
The chapter ends with this amazing thought:
“God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”
This means we are part of the bigger story of faith. We’re connected to the same God, the same promises, and the same purpose. Those heroes from the past are cheering us on as we run our race today.
Final Thoughts
Hebrews 11 shows us that faith is trusting God with your life—even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t make sense. It’s choosing to believe that God’s plan is better than ours.
Here’s what real faith looks like:
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Believing God’s promises even when they seem far off
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Obeying His voice, even when we don’t have all the answers
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Trusting Him in both victories and suffering
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Living for eternity, not just for today
You don’t need to be perfect to walk in faith. You just need to believe—and take the next step.
So whatever you’re facing today, remember: Faith is the bridge between where you are and where God is leading you. Walk with Him. He won’t let you fall.
Hebrews 11:1-40 (WEB)
11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 2 For by this, the elders obtained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.5 By faith Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. 6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.7 By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11 By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.17 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son, 18 to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,” 19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.31 By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets— 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.39 These all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise, 40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.