They Knew it, We Receive It!

by John Tilton on July 14, 2025

SCRIPTURE:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.”

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:1-2, 39-40

  

OBSERVATION:

Clearly, faith seems intangible, nothing we can touch and feel.  However, the Word says that we can have confidence with faith.  Why?  Because the Lord and the Word says so.  And if we’ve seen God’s miracles, answer to prayers, and faithfulness; then we can have faith in the things of the future for what we have seen in the past.  Scriptures 39-40, always touched me knowing that so many of the Bible heroes, never saw or experienced what they were seeking and hoping for.  Yet, we today can look back and read the Word to see how their faith would come to fruition.  They knew it, yet we receive it today.

APPLICATION:

Some of the toughest times in recent years have tested my faith, BUT only for a little while. Why?  I’ve been able to look back at what I hadn’t seen years ago then recall what I saw and experienced later after prayer and surrender.  I saw this as proof for me to be confident that my faith is based on that formula of – surrender, prayer, and trust = faith to stand on, believe in, and have confidence in until I see Jesus come through in answered prayer or great life lessons.  It’s so cool being confident in things I haven’t seen, and being able to say “it’s in His hands, the best hands and only hands,” that have always been there if I will open my eyes to see what God is doing.  It may not be what I want, but with the right perspective, I know that it’s what the Lord wants.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, may my faith be readily attainable and sustainable by your giving me the right perspective to surrender, trust, believe, and be ready to receive now and when you plan to bring it all to fruition.  My perspective is that either you will answer my prayers, OR there is a life-lesson, a growth lesson, or a humility lesson to not want what I want, but what you deem your want for me.

About the Author

John Tilton

Senior Pastor John Tilton has served at New Hope Oahu since it’s launch in 1995, and has been on staff in administration and as executive pastor for the past 14 years. The values and heart behind New Hope run deeply through Pastor John’s veins as he has trained, learned, and was mentored closely by Pastor Wayne.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Pastor John holds his Masters in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College & Capital Seminary. He has served in various leadership, mentorship, and advisory roles in ministry and in the marketplace. He currently serves as Vice President of New Hope International and is on the Board of Directors of both Pacific Rim Christian University and New Hope Christian College. 

Pastor John is married to his amazing wife Lanu, is father to his son Ikaika, daughter Malie, son-in-law Noni, is Papa to his grandchildren Justice, Johanna, and Jordynn, all of whom serve in ministry as a family together at New Hope Oahu.

Pastor John’s heart is to love and shepherd the people of New Hope Oahu––both here on Oahu and globally across the world. He will seek to continue to develop leaders, enable people here to dream with vision and purpose for God’s unique call on their lives, and, most importantly, to seek God as He faithfully guides our church so that we can fully become the church, and the people, He has created and called us to be.

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