The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who pleased God—not by perfection or religious ritual—but by faith. Faith is the divine currency of heaven. It is not merely belief in God’s existence but a confident trust in His nature, promises, and power. Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” opens with this foundational truth:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV).
Faith Is What Pleases God
Scripture tells us plainly:
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
This verse sets the standard—faith is not optional in our relationship with God. We cannot substitute works, rituals, or traditions in place of it. True faith pleases God because it expresses trust, surrender, and obedience to His will, even when circumstances contradict His promises.
The same chapter in Hebrews recounts men and women who dared to believe in God when it wasn’t easy, popular, or safe. These people became models for us to follow.
Faith That Walks Like God
Hebrews 11:3 reminds us:
We know the worlds were made by God’s word, so the visible came from the invisible.
God Himself acted in faith—He spoke the world into existence. This act of creation shows that faith is not wishful thinking but a decisive, creative action based on trust in God’s word. When we walk by faith, we reflect our Creator.
Paul later wrote:
“For we walk by faith, not sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
The life of faith often defies what we can see or feel. It’s a decision to believe God’s promises over human reasoning.
Examples of Faith That Pleased God
Let’s walk through the lives of a few individuals who risked everything because they trusted in a faithful God.
1. Abel—Worship by Faith
“By faith, Abel offered God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…” (Hebrews 11:4).
Abel’s offering pleased God because he offered it in faith. Faith-filled worship is not just external; it comes from a heart surrendered to God.
2. Enoch—Walking by Faith
“By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death” and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5).
Enoch walked with God consistently and intimately to take him to heaven without seeing death. His life was a declaration that faith means walking with God daily, moment by moment.
3. Noah—Obedience in Faith
“By faith, Noah moved with godly fear, receiving divine warning of things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:7).
Noah had never seen rain, yet he built an ark obediently to God’s word. His faith saved his family and preserved the human race. Genuine faith is demonstrated in our obedience, even when others ridicule or misunderstand us.
4. Abraham—Going Out in Faith
“By faith, Abraham obeyed when God called to go out… not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
Abraham is regarded as the founder of faith due to his unwavering belief in God’s promise, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. He left everything familiar to follow God’s voice. He was willing even to sacrifice his son, Isaac, believing that God could raise him from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19).
5. Rahab—Bold Risk in Faith
“By faith, the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe…” (Hebrews 11:31).
Rahab, a prostitute, risked her life to protect Israelite spies. Her actions weren’t born of religion but raw faith in a God she barely knew but chose to trust. Her faith made her part of Jesus’ lineage (Matthew 1:5). This indicates that anyone can walk by faith and please God, no matter their past.
6. Moses—Choosing by Faith
Moses had the wealth and power of Egypt at his fingertips, but
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter… choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24-25).
Faith causes us to choose God’s way even when it costs us status, comfort, or success.
Faith in the Early Church
Faith didn’t die with the Old Testament. The early church lived in such vibrant faith that miracles, signs, and bold acts were a daily part of life.
Consider Paul:
“Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket” (Acts 9:25).
Paul had to escape for his life after boldly preaching Christ. The brethren who helped him did so out of faith—trusting that God would protect and use Paul. Today’s church often lacks this bold, risky faith that moves mountains and fears no man.
Faith Is Not Legalism—It’s Grace in Action
Some may confuse living to please God with legalism, but this is a misunderstanding. Legalism tries to earn God’s favor through works; faith trusts in God’s grace and responds with obedience and love.
Romans 5:1 says:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Faith brings us into a relationship with God. It is not performance-based but grace-enabled.
Paul writes:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain…” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
Faith does not dismiss God’s grace; it activates it. Grace empowers us to live lives that please God.
God tests our faith, but it remains unbroken.
God doesn’t ask us to do more than we can.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and will not tempt you beyond your capability.
God knows our limits and gives us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). God may test our faith, but He will never destroy it. Instead of weakening our faith, trials and hardships are meant to strengthen it.
God eventually rewards faith.
God is not blind to our steps of faith. He is a “rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
- Abraham received a son.
- Rahab received salvation.
- Moses led a nation to freedom.
- Paul wrote much of the New Testament and reached many nations.
Each one received a divine reward—not always earthly riches, but eternal glory.
The Challenge for the Church Today
Sadly, many churches today have lost this radical, risk-taking faith. Instead of living by faith, we live by comfort and convenience. But God still calls His people to trust Him fully—to take risks, obey, and believe.
The stories of faith are not just for reading but for emulation.
As James reminds us:
“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).
Faith must act, speak, give, and go. When it does, God shows up.
Conclusion: Dare to Walk by Faith
God is pleased by faith that is not passive but alive, courageous, and dutiful. That kind of faith inspires the building of arks, the hiding of spies, the facing of lions, and the laying down of one’s life for the Gospel. Faith perseveres through the inexplicable, submits during hardship, and persists where others falter.
May we, like the saints of old, choose to walk by faith and not by sight—trusting in the One who is faithful and true.
“Let us lay aside every weight… and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
