Believing When Life Makes No Sense: The Real Faith of Isaac

Sermon 9 in Series on Hebrews 11

A 4-Point Sermon with Opening and Closing Prayers

Alternative Titles

· When Faith Feels Messy: Isaac’s Story of Doubt and Determination

· Trusting Through the Chaos: Lessons from Isaac’s Family Drama

· Faith Isn’t Perfect—But God Is: What Isaac Teaches Us

· Holding On When You’re Hurting: Isaac’s Journey Through Doubt

· Real Faith for Real Life: Isaac’s Example in a Confusing World

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with hearts that long to understand what true faith means in the messiness of ordinary life. Open our minds to Your Word as we look to Isaac’s example in Hebrews 11:20. May Your Spirit illuminate the path of faith for each of us and give us grace to trust You amid our doubts and uncertainties. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Introduction

Hebrews 11:20 tells us, “By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” At first glance, this verse might seem like a simple statement. But when we look deeper, anchored in Isaac’s story, we find a portrait of faith that is not flawless or immune to doubt, but persistent, honest, and grounded in the faithfulness of God. Today, we will explore four key lessons from Isaac’s faith—lessons for every person who has ever wondered, “How can I trust God when my life is chaotic, my circumstances confusing, and my heart full of questions?”

Point 1: Faith is Trusting God’s Promises—Even When We Can’t See the Outcome

Isaac’s act of blessing his sons was an act of faith in things “not seen.” He believed in God’s promises about the future of Jacob and Esau, even though the fulfillment was far off. This aligns with Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

· Isaac could not see how God would work out His promises—the family situation was complex, and the future uncertain.

· Yet, Isaac spoke blessing and trusted God would “make it good.”

· Application: Faith often means trusting that God is at work even when we have no visible evidence, when the way forward is clouded, and when the outcome isn’t clear.

Point 2: Faith is Not the Absence of Doubt, But the Refusal to Turn Away

Isaac was not a “superman” of faith. His life was marked by questions, confusion, and familial chaos: “Do you think Isaac and Jacob never had questions? Never had doubts about what was going on?” The answer is clear—they did.

· Doubt and questions are not the same as unbelief. Unbelief is giving up, “bagging it,” abandoning God altogether.

· Isaac’s faith was persistent. He didn’t forsake God in his confusion; he remained loyal, holding on to God’s promises even when reality didn’t match his expectations.

· Application: God can handle our questions and doubts. What matters is that we keep our hearts turned toward Him, refusing to let go even when circumstances tempt us to walk away.

Point 3: Faith Grows in Ordinary, Messy Lives

Isaac was an ordinary man who faced suffering, moral lapses, family conflict, and disappointment. The “Hall of Faith” is full of people like him—not superheroes, but individuals whose faith was forged in the fires of life’s messiness.

· Isaac’s experience shows that faith is not about perfect lives, but about real lives lived in relationship with a faithful God.

· It’s in the chaos—when “Jacob and Esau’s relationship burns up in flames”—that faith is tested and proven genuine.

· Application: Do not disqualify yourself from faith because your life is complicated or your story is unfinished. God works through ordinary people in ordinary struggles.

Point 4: Faith Rests on God’s Faithfulness, Not Our Own Performance

Isaac’s confidence was not in his ability to make sense of his family, fix his circumstances, or conjure up perfect faith. His assurance rested in the God who had made the promises.

· He believed God’s track record—His faithfulness in the past was Isaac’s anchor for the future.

· Faith is about holding firm, refusing to “shrink back,” maintaining loyal belief in God, “come what may.”

· Application: Our faith will never be perfect, but God’s faithfulness never wavers. Place your trust, not in your own ability, but in His unchanging character.

Conclusion

Isaac’s story teaches us that faith lives not in the absence of chaos or doubt, but right in the midst of it. Faith is holding on, blessing others, praying for the future, even when today is uncertain. Like Isaac, we are called to persistent, loyal trust in a faithful God—one who sees what we cannot and who keeps every promise.

Let us pray.

Gracious God,

Thank You for the example of Isaac and the reminder that faith does not mean perfection or the absence of questions, but a steadfast loyalty to You. Help us to trust Your promises when we cannot see the outcome, to keep seeking You in confusion, and to rest in Your unshakeable faithfulness. Strengthen our faith for the unknowns ahead, and make us a people who hold on to You “come what may.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.