The world we live in seems designed to undermine faith. Educational systems and the mass entertainment and news media are overwhelmingly secular and undermine godly principles and the Bible. Over generations we have gravitated toward the material while excluding God.

Everything – science, philosophy, history – is reduced to physical phenomena. The result is predictable and obvious. Few know what God expects of us. Fewer still trust Him to guide or be involved in their lives.

Although faith in an age of doubt and materialism is difficult, the Bible promises that some will have this precious commodity when Christ returns (Revelation 14:12). Because something is difficult to come by doesn’t mean it is impossible, especially with God. Living faith is possible and within our grasp. The apostle Paul tells us: "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32; NIV).

God gave us the Bible to provide hope and instruction through the examples of others (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:6; 2 Timothy 3:16). By studying their experiences, we can see real-life examples of faith in action, especially in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, the so-called "faith chapter." There we read about the experiences of the "heroes of faith." Meditating on the challenges they faced and how they mastered them with God’s help is a worthwhile exercise.

Their example can inspire us on our walk with God: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

Their example helps us to be strong in the faith and reach the goal before us with them: "God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us" (Hebrews 11:40).

With these thoughts I wish us all a rewarding Sabbath!