It’s important to understand the discipline of the Lord. God disciplines those He loves, and His discipline is always for our good. God disciplines us to produce greater holiness in our lives. As we experience God’s discipline in our lives, we must always remember it is for His glory and our good.

Chapter 12 transitions to some practical application for the present. Building off the momentum from chapter 11, the author encourages his readers to consider those who have run the race of faith before them and to run well. God does not call Christians to simply “get by” in this life. He calls us to run with endurance and to run well.

The author concludes this chapter of faith examples by mentioning a few more names, and then by telling how some people have experienced great victories as well as great suffering for their faith. The point of Hebrews 11 is to show us that God’s people have always lived by faith. No matter the situation in life, God works to produce in us a greater faith in Jesus.

Everyone has to make decisions in life. But what guides our decision making? Looking at the examples of Moses, Joshua, and Rahab, we see that Christians are to make decisions based on their faith in God. Although we may know know exactly what our lives will look like, we have faith in God and make decisions in life that honor Him.

Hebrews 11:6 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In these verses, the author considers the faith of the patriarchs of Israel. From Abraham through Joseph, God’s promises were hoped for, and although they died without receiving the promises, they knew they were coming. They lived as strangers and exiles on the earth as they looked forward to their heavenly homeland. We as Christians must understand that earth is not our home. God has promised an eternal home for those whose faith is in Him. We are to keep our eyes fixed on heaven as we live as pilgrims on this earth.

The author of Hebrews has shown up to this point that everything about the Old Covenant pointed to and found its fulfillment in Jesus. We obtain righteousness not through works of the law, but through faith. After quoting Habakkuk, that the righteous live by faith, the author defines faith and begins to give Old Testament examples of those who had faith that pleased God.