Hebrews 11:17-31 is the passage we come to today. In verses 30-31 we read:
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
John Piper helps us understand more about faith in a sermon on Hebrews 11:29-38
That’s one way God works through our faith – namely, by miracles. But I also mentioned “acts of providence.” Through our faith God helps us by acts of providence. What I mean by “acts of providence” is works of God that control situations but in a less extraordinary way. Looking on, you would not necessarily say that a miracle happened, but by the eye of faith you see the “invisible hand of God” – as R. C. Sproul calls it.
For example, the writer refers to Rahab not perishing because she had heard of the power of the God of Israel (Joshua 2:9-11) and cared for the Jewish spies (verse 31); and to David conquering kingdoms and establishing righteousness (verse 33); and to Elijah escaping the sword of Jezebel (verse 34); and to Gideon being strengthened in weakness (verse 34); and to others putting foreign armies to flight (verse 34); etc. In all these cases God is the one who is working behind the scenes, but no miracles are obvious. This is what we may call the more ordinary working of God’s providence.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 