Abel doesn't seem to fit in the first half of Hebrews 11. He's the first "ancient" listed, but his story isn't like the others mentioned here. Enoch went to heaven without dying. Noah saved mankind. Abraham started a people group. Isaac was a noted patriarch. Joseph rose to the top in Egypt. Moses led the greatest exodus ever.
Clearly, their faith was rewarded. By faith, they did what God asked, and He poured out blessings on them. They saw God's promises fulfilled before their eyes. But Abel? The second son of of Adam and Even had faith, and what did he get for it? Murdered. That sounds more like the folks in Hebrews 11:35-38, who found that trusting God doesn't always lead to immediate blessing. They faced "mockings", "imprisonment", and being "sawn in to". "Thanks, but no thanks", we might say. We would all prefer to be heroic Abraham instead of someone "destitute, afflicted, tormented" (v. 37). Yet in God's plan, there are no guarantees of ease and fame even for the devout.
While we might experience some blessings in this life, we may also have to wait until "something better" (Heb. 11:40) comes along - the completion of God's promises in Glory. Until then, let's keep living "by faith". What is done for Christ right now will be rewarded in eternity. Press on in your service for Jesus. One day, you'll receive your reward.
Amen
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