By Rev. Dr. Daniel Mdobi, Pastor in Arusha, Tanzania, and treasurer of the All-Africa Assembly

At 3:00 pm, while seated in the office preparing the message for Easter Sunday, I heard a knock at the door. A young man came in. He looked tired, frustrated, and completely lost, hopeless. We welcomed him and were ready to listen to what brought him around. He explained, saying, “Six years ago, I came to Arusha looking for a job. Unfortunately, since then I have never been able to find a permanent job. Eventually, a certain pastor allowed me to stay with him but in looking at myself, I see no future for me.”

Many people today find themselves in the same situation. They are not sure what the future holds for them. They are socially, educationally, and financially challenged and end up losing their ability to positively respond to their destiny. They ask, “Does God care about such a situation?” Oh yes, he does. The Bible, however, clearly outlines the answer. The writer of Hebrews 11 addresses the need to focus on seeing the unseen through faith.

Verse 6 asserts that we cannot please God outside of believing that he is. By any means, this is by faith no matter what. It is a wrong notion to think that we can see God with our physical eyes. Endeavoring to believe in him means tapping the power to see that which we currently are unable to see. For whoever strongly holds to their faith in him, God is happily ready to take care of one’s affair (Heb. 7:25). Faith is the power to inherit God’s favor. Noah is an example. He saw the inheritance because he anchored his faith in God (v. 7) and so do we. God has kept for us an inheritance, be it material or immaterial. Faith is a prerequisite toward attaining that favor.

Abraham, likewise, is branded as one of the giants of faith. He saw beyond just what surrounded him, an inheritance that God prepared for him in a land where he had never been before. He listened, believed, and acted (vv. 8-10). Today God speaks and directs us in different ways. But he is still looking for more giants of faith. If we do not doubt his messages and directives, we can be certain that he prepares an inheritance for us, be it here and now or in the life to come.

In verses 11-12, we find the scenario of Sarah and her son to be born years after God had made the promise to her and her husband. Years passed before the promise was fulfilled. Faith carried them through the long years. This is a message: It might take long hours, days, or even years but eventually God will still make it happen why? because he has promised it.

But what happens if the promise does not come true? Does that mean God tells a lie? No, not at all. Whoever connects his faith to God still hopes in him and has nothing to worry about. The Bible attests to us that there is life beyond this earthly life.