The Bible explicitly says of Moses, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). It is earlier said of Noah, “By faith… being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7). The faith by which both these men (and others) operated is defined as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 1:1). In all three of these verses, the unseen has a significant emphasis. Enduring as a Christian is sometimes difficult, especially when all we consider is what we can see or at least what we think we see. Like Moses, we may have to face what seems an insurmountable hostile army and deliberately go against the orders of its furious commander. Like Noah, we may have to steadily do what the Lord says despite our limited understanding of God’s way and the possible ridicule of the masses. Like both of these men, though, any obstacle we face can be overcome by obedient faith!
The key to overcoming is to focus on “Him who is invisible.” Paul reminded us that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). May we take comfort in knowing that God “will never leave you nor forsake you” and that “the Lord is my helper; I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:5-6). May we have courage to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-18). May we with confidence “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Jesus acknowledged to His disciples, “And you will be hated by all… But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). Let us trust the invisible God to see us through!
