If there were a Museum of Faith, and artifacts from earliest times still existed, the heroes of Hebrews 11:4-12 would surely be represented. On display we might find:
- Rocks from Abel’s altar, where God proclaimed him a righteous man.
- Enoch’s walking stick, left behind when he strolled with God one day and ended up in heaven.
- Part of Noah’s ark, which he spent at least 100 years building before God’s promise of rain (and protection for Noah’s family) was fulfilled.
- Abraham’s tent, in which he lived while traveling to a place God had chosen, though Abraham did not know where he was going.
- Isaac’s swaddling clothes, reminders of his miraculous birth to elderly parents, twenty-five years after God first promised his arrival.
Then we come to verse 13.
“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,
admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth”
(NIV, italics added).
What was the writer of Hebrews referring to? What things did these heroes of faith not receive that God had promised?
They did not see fulfillment of the most important promises: the arrival of Jesus the Messiah, his glorious resurrection, and all the blessings and privileges he provides. (All the way back in the Garden of Eden, God foretold that One would come to defeat Satan—Genesis 3:15).
If the great heroes of faith listed in Hebrews did not receive things promised, I’d be wise to prepare myself for the same.
What should I do when promises are not being fulfilled? Below are five possibilities:
- Consider that the roadblock might be me.
Many promises come with conditions. If I’m not willing to comply, how can I expect the promise to be fulfilled? Philippians 4:6-7 offers a good example. If I want to receive God’s promise of peace, I need to be praying with a grateful heart.
- Consider that the time is not right.
More than a few biblical heroes endured long waits for their promises to come to pass: Abraham for his son, Joseph for his position of leadership, the Israelites for their promised land, David for his kingship, and devout Jews like Simeon and Anna for their Messiah—to name a few.
I must remember that God is always at work carrying out his plan (Isaiah 46:11b). My work is to trust, pray, and wait.
- While trusting, praying, and waiting for one promise, I can celebrate those already kept.
Dozens of promises have been fulfilled in my life already. At the appropriate time God has provided:
- Wisdom for difficult decisions (James 1:5)
- Peace in the midst of challenging circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Provision in miraculous ways (Philippians 4:19)
- Purpose (Ephesians 2:10)
- Strength to push through weariness (1 Peter 4:10-11)
- Help in all sorts of situations (Isaiah 41:13)
Praise for what God has already done is a powerful weapon against discouragement.
- God’s ways aren’t my ways.
If God has not fulfilled a particular promise, he has good reason. What I desire may not be for my ultimate good or for the good of others.
Surely Paul had to wonder sometimes why God allowed him to be imprisoned in Rome for two years. Perhaps he recited from the psalms:
“’Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name…
…I will deliver him and honor him.”’
–Psalm 91:14-15 NIV
Paul had every right to claim this promise. His love for Jesus was passionate, and he acknowledged his Savior’s name everywhere he went. But God did not rescue Paul. No angel came to deliver Paul, as had happened to Peter.
As a result, we are beneficiaries of Paul’s letters, containing priceless teaching from the heart of God: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon–all written from his prison cell in Rome.
- Fulfillment may come after I’m gone.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did not see their descendants become as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). But the promise was kept centuries later, because there is no stopping the perfectly wise, precisely timed will of God.
“From him and through him and for him are all things”
(including the fulfillment or unfulfillment of his promises).
“To him be the glory forever!”
–Romans 11:36 NIV (parenthetical comment added)
What helps you cope with unfulfilled promises from God? Please share in the comment section below.
(Art & photo credits: www.biblewalks.com; http://www.pinterest (5); http://www.thefellowshipsite.org; http://www.dailyverses.net.)
From the Inside Out 
5 great points but I love the idea of a museum of faith. wouldn’t that be so cool? You got my imagination going….LOL
So glad you enjoyed my flight of fancy over a museum of faith, Jean. It would be a fun place to visit…maybe in heaven?! (With God, all things are possible, right? 🙂 )
Dearest Nancy, I printed this out to go over it again … and again. I have such a short view of God’s ways. I find myself at times entitled to His answers when I get impatient. Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder that we trust no matter what (and might have to work on ourselves in the meantime). Your words are a blessing to me.
Thank you, Heidi. I’m honored you considered the post worthy of further consideration. Praise God for his inspiration! Your posts always offer beautiful reminders to ME–to trust God and follow his ways. I love the way God uses us to minister to each other!
I’m with Jean–I like your idea of a ‘museum of faith’–a living museum, of course!
That’s right, Jody!
Loved this post Nancy!! I always marvel at the thought that had Paul not been in prison… he might have been too busy to write(?)…little did he know his letters would encourage our hearts two thousand years later!! I love Romans 15:13 …”May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit…”the only way we can truly trust Him is too really know Him and His character…I am so thankful for His Word that breathes life and hope into my heart… I am especially thankful to you my mentor for instilling the importance of this discipline into my young Christian life years ago!! ❤️Love you lots!!!
I can’t imagine the Bible without the strong teaching of Ephesians and Colossians and the encouragement of Philippians. You are so right: His Word breathes life and hope into our hearts. I am thankful for you, too, Lisa, for the way you’ve demonstrated passion and selfless service all these years since North Church. You have been a tremendous encouragement to me! Much love to YOU, Nancy
Really good, Nancy. Very thought-provoking, especially #3 (for me). God is so faithful!
Those words, “God is so faithful,” coming from you hold much POWER! If you (in the midst of a long-term battle with ALS) can say that, we ALL can embrace that truth. Thank you, Bill, for your strong faith, perseverance, and positivity. I can only imagine the ripple effect of your dynamic testimony!
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Thank you, Bruce!
Well considered, Nancy. Thank you!
And thank you, Mitch, for stopping by.
For me #4. “If God has not fulfilled a particular promise, he has good reason. What I desire may not be for my ultimate good or for the good of others.” My wonderful Father in Heaven sees the WHOLE PICTURE… It took me many, many years to accept God’s plan for my life…which is still unfolding every day. I loved this post, Nancy…
I’m so glad you found this post to be meaningful, Cheri. Praise God! It’s rather exciting to contemplate, actually, that even in retirement, God’s purposeful plan for our lives is still unfolding every day. If not all of us, at least most of us need reminders now and then that God’s ways are not always our ways. And when there is a discrepancy, we can count on his way to be better. Such great comfort in that truth!
Unfulfilled promises? Oh, you mean LIES. I’m not waiting for any unfulfilled promises, I’m still waiting to see ONE promise Jesus supposedly made and actually kept. Where is the second coming ? 2000 years and NOTHING.
Thank you for stopping by, Darth, and sharing your questions. No, I do not mean lies. “All [God’s] words are true” (Psalm 119:160a). The reason Jesus has not returned yet is explained in 2 Peter 3:9–“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Meanwhile, Jesus intercedes for us (Romans 8:34), gives us peace (John 16:33), joy (John 15:11), and many more blessings of the God-enhanced life (John 10:10). Can we believe such statements, or all of scripture for that matter? That’s important to know–our lives depend upon it. I believe we can, based on personal experience, the experience of many others, the historical record (more reliable than critics want to admit), archaeology and ancient manuscripts that back up much of scripture, and more. Hundreds of books–maybe thousands–have been written to show the reliability of scripture. But for now, a good place to begin finding answers may be “Just Thinking” at http://www.rzim.org. Ravi Zacharias and his team take on the tough questions with logic, wisdom, and a wealth of biblical knowledge. I think you’ll find it interesting!