HEBREWS 11:32-40 – And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”
THEME OF THE DAY: CONQUERING POWER OF FAITH. Before we get into the “meat” of today’s nugget, let’s establish a very important truth about God and faith. It is found in the beginning of today’s scripture chapter – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6). God is most pleased when He is most trusted. In today’s scripture, members of the Hall of Fame of Faith are described, and they were certainly pleasing to the Lord because of their faith.
So, what did these saints of old endure because of their faith in the Lord? Here is the list . . . conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weaknesses, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight, received their dead back by resurrection, were tortured, refused to accept release, suffered mocking and flogging, chains and imprisonment, stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, and wandering about in deserts, mountains, dens and caves. Now make another lesson . . . what do we endure because of our faith in the Lord? In making the list, don’t feel guilty. God hasn’t placed us in a lot of those situations, but He has placed us where we are and that to live out a non-compromising life of faith that will endure some form of persecution – Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).
When it comes to conquering faith, it is a gift from God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, it is a gift to be used. We are called to a life of faith in God’s promises, a faith, like the heroes in today’s scriptures, that look to the promises of God, though unseen, are certain to be fulfilled. And it is those promises that keep us going and lead us to victory over all our spiritual foes because the Promiser walks with us each step of the way.
PRAYER: “Father, teach me to see how You are most pleased when you are most trusted.”
QUOTE: “Faith looks to the promises unseen but with certainty they will be fulfilled.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim