Hebrews 11:39-40
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The better thing to come was Christ.  He is the source and the object of our faith.  He is who the faithful ones described throughout this chapter anticipated and looked forward to.  But we have the privilege of receiving Him and obtaining the fullness of that promise.  Jesus came and died for the sins of the world.  He gave His life as that perfect and perfecting sacrifice.  The atonement was made, and so redemption is ours.  And all we have to do is believe in Jesus as our Savior.

Living by faith affects every part of us and every part of our lives.  We see with a different vision.  The things of this earth become so dim.  The shiny things of this life lose their luster.  We live with a greater focus.  We live beyond this world anticipating a better future.  But it all must rest on Christ.  Without Him faith is impossible.  Without Jesus, all is in vain.  Without the surety that comes with Him, we have no hope.  All of those promises fulfilled in Christ convince us of the certainty of the promises yet to come.

The journey of faith begins and ends with Jesus Christ.  He is all we could ever hope for and all we ever need.   And He works in us to mold us into His image.  Our lives of following Him and trusting in Him and learning those faith lessons that only the challenges of life can teach us will culminate in us becoming fully like Him.

The reward of this life for many of the heroes of the faith was suffering, persecution, great trials and struggles.  Our walk with God is not always a smooth and easy path.  But the reward to come is eternity with God, to hear Him say, “Welcome home, child.  Well done, good and faithful servant.”  With that comes the satisfaction of having lived a life that was pleasing to God, and we can only live that life by faith in Christ.