In the list of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph what it points out is their looking to the future. They believed what God would do, not looking at what was true in front of their eyes. They were seeing by faith what they believed would come.

It doesn’t list Moses’ parents, but it was their faith that is mentioned. It wasn’t the faith of Moses that chose to defy orders and hide the baby.

By faith we, like Moses, choose a life of suffering with Christ instead of the “fleeting pleasures of sin.” A pleasure in sin is very short lived. It is momentary.

Our abundant life and reward in Christ is greater than any wealth and reward in this world.

Moses endured. He endured many years, not losing faith in the invisible God. Our faith becomes sight. Moses was as “seeing Him who is invisible.” It can feel like you aren’t walking by faith in God, but by sight. He becomes so real to you that it doesn’t feel like any faith to believe in Him.

It’s pointed out that God’s children cross the Red Sea, but the Egyptians drown. It’s not the act. It’s the faith. You can’t copy someone’s actions and expect the same results. People copy other’s successful ministry ideas, but you can’t copy in the flesh something done by faith. It was the faith that brought the success.

By faith the walls of Jericho came down. Their faith was demonstrated in obedience. If you have faith, you obey. God’s power brought down that wall, but He wouldn’t have done it if they hadn’t obeyed. And they wouldn’t have obeyed without any faith.

Rahab is another one who saves her family by her faith. Your faith matters beyond yourself.

If you need another reminder that these are imperfect people with a great and faithful God, just look at names like Gideon, Samson, and Jephthah. They made some foolish decisions. And Gideon famously lacked faith; he went by night, and repeatedly wanted confirmation.