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Jesus told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2 (NIV)

As a result of his inner struggle Habakkuk, the prophet with the goofy name, reached a staggering conclusion—a conclusion that shaped all of the theology of Paul and later all of the Reformation of Martin Luther. Habakkuk said, “The just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). And to show that he knew what he was prophesying about, Habakkuk ended his prophecy with this prayer:

Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls —

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

—Habakkuk 3:17–19

“Faith is believing there is another dimension to life other than those which can be touched, tasted, seen or felt.…Faith believes that God, in His grace, has stepped over the boundary into human history and told us some great and very valuable facts. Faith believes them and adjusts its life to those facts and walks on that basis.”[Ray Stedman, What More Can God Say? (Glendale, CA: Regal Books, 1974), 182, 192. Used by permission.]

The key to the “confession” (v. 13) of this admirable group in Hebrews 11 is that when given a promise by God, as were Abraham and his descendants, they became “fully persuaded” that the promise was true. Thus they embraced (literally “greeted”) that promise in their hearts. The word “confess” helps us to understand how easily these of the gallery of faith established their ways before God and left the testimony, which His Word records with tribute.

While each of these persons did receive many victories through faith, the text says that none of them received everything that was promised. Whether or not we receive what we “confess” (ask, pray, or hope for) does not change the behavior or attitude of the steadfast believer. Faith's worship and walk do not depend on answered or unanswered prayers. Our confession of His lordship in our lives is to be consistent—a daily celebration, with deep gratitude.[Spirit-Filled Life Bible, 1885, 1886, “Kingdom Dynamics: Hebrews 11:13–16, Faith's Confession Is Steadfast.”]
Although they received only a partial fulfillment of what God had promised, these elders maintained their faith that God would do what He said. Because of their close relationship with God, they could not feel at home in earthly surroundings. They looked for something better; and because of their longings, God gladly acknowledged them as His own people.[Ibid., 1885, note on Hebrews 11:13–16.]
The Greek word translated promise (epangelia) differs by only one letter from the word translated gospel (euangelia). While the “gospel” is a good and pleasant announcement from God, the “promise” is a sure and certain announcement from God. In Hebrews “the promise” is synonymous with the New Covenant or testament by which people of faith inherit the purification of sanctification. The promise is established through the High Priestly ministry of Jesus on the basis of His once-for-all sacrifice of Himself for sins.
III. Real Faith for Real Victories
Faith perceives what is real, and faith grasps the promises of God that bring His blessings to bear on the believer's life. Furthermore, faith is the basis for all victories in the conflicts and conquests of the spiritual life.
If Moses had remained in the court of Pharaoh rather than identifying with the people of Israel, he would have become a man of great worldly power. He had received the finest education of the day and demonstrated unusual ability as an orator and leader (Acts 7:22). In time Moses would have distinguished himself as a well-known man in the mightiest empire of the world—and been lost in the obscurity of history.

Instead Moses regarded such a choice as sin against the will of God (Heb. 11:25). He lay aside his claim to fame and power to obey God's call with a bunch of slaves. In the process, he became one of the most famous and influential men who ever lived. He was the friend of God (Ex. 33:11) and the inspired author of the first five books of the Old Testament.

The fact that others were tortured and suffered in various other ways indicates that faith does not provide an automatic exemption from hardship, trials, or tragedy. Furthermore, the experience of such difficulties does not mean that the people undergoing them possess less faith than those who are not afflicted. The same faith that enables some to escape trouble enables others to endure it. The same faith that delivers some from death enables others to die victoriously.