Hebrews 11:32–40 - 32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. What does today’s passage say? In today's text, we read the narratives of Old Testament heroes, each marked by a fierce, unwavering faith. They stood firm in their trust in God's word, despite the fullness of His promises stretching beyond their earthly lives. These remarkable people, through their strength of faith, defeated empires, sought justice, and grabbed hold of the promises set before them; some outwitted lions, walked in the midst of flames, and defeated death, while others embraced suffering and scorn for the sake of their convictions (vv. 32-38). Yet, in the face of their trials, their faith earned them God’s commendation, even as the full rewards of that faith remained unseen. With eyes fixed on a glorious, heavenly prize, they taught us a profound lesson: genuine faith is not deterred by the storms of the present but is anchored in the everlasting assurances of God (vv. 39-40). How can I apply Hebrews 11:32-40 to my life? As we live out our faith, we often encounter crossroads where the path ahead is not clear. In these moments, our faith is our lantern, casting light on the steps to come and the way forward. Today’s passage is like a gallery with portraits of ordinary individuals whose extraordinary journeys were shaped by their unwavering faith in God. They were not heroes by worldly standards; their strength was not in their muscle but in their heart - a relentless faith in the promises and power of God. These narratives do more than just inspire; they call us to emulate a faith that dares to trust God amidst impossibilities. And these stories are not just tales from the past; they are examples of the same call to faith we hear today. They are a call to trust, not as a last resort, but as our first and constant response to life's challenges; to endure, not with a resigned acceptance, but with a purposeful and hopeful heart that sees beyond the immediate to the eternal; and to hope, not as wishful thinking, but as a sure and steadfast anchor in the promises of God Himself. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
Trust in God's Power to Overcome Obstacles(vv. 32-35a): The extraordinary faith of Old Testament heroes highlighted in Hebrews enabled them to surmount incredible obstacles through divine power. We too must put our trust in God's ability to strengthen us against life's challenges. Whether dealing with personal shortcomings, difficult circumstances, or opposition from others, the Lord can give us amazing strength and courage to persevere. Relying solely on our finite resources leaves us ill-equipped, but by depending on God's infinite power, we can achieve remarkable feats for His kingdom's advancement. This requires a humble recognition of our own personal limitations and diligent prayer for heavenly wisdom and empowerment. Moreover, unwavering obedience to the Lord is essential, even when human logic fails to comprehend. As we step out in these faithful steps, the Lord will enable us to conquer once insurmountable challenges. Filled with His Holy Spirit power working in us, we can face any trial undaunted, confident of His sovereign guidance towards victory (Romans 8:31, Philippians 4:13, 1 John 5:4-5).
Food for thought: What current obstacles necessitate divine intervention to overcome? How can you actively surrender to and appropriate God's strength today?
Endure Suffering and Persecution for Your Faith(vv. 35b-38): The unwavering commitment of the heroes of the faith described in these verses subjected them to incomprehensible anguish and oppression. Though contemporary believers may be spared such severe tribulations, ridicule, rejection, and maltreatment stemming from devotion to Christ are regrettable realities we too may confront. In these difficult seasons, it is important to remind ourselves that our eternal citizenship transcends earthly borders - we are heaven's ambassadors, commissioned to endure hardship as witnesses to the gospel's truth. The Sustainer of our souls will fortify us through every fiery trial, ultimately rewarding our steadfast perseverance. Facing opposition for firmly held beliefs can dishearten and intimidate, yet we must receive it as a badge of honor, for it identifies us with the sacrifice of the Savior and the great cloud of witnesses who surround us. When we endure mockery and persecution with grace and Christlike love, we manifest the transforming power of the gospel to a watching world. Our willingness to suffer for the sake of the Cross is a powerful testimony to the immeasurable value we place on our faith and the depths of our allegiance to the Lord (Matthew 5:11-12, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-14).
Food for thought: What opposition or mistreatment have you endured due to your witness for Christ? How can you intentionally prepare your mind and spirit to face persecution's refining fire with persevering grace?
Persevere in the Hope of God's Promises (vv. 39-40): Even though the heroes of the faith praised in these verses failed to witness the full manifestation of God's pledges during their earthly lives, they steadfastly persisted, unwavering in their confidence that the God would ultimately vindicate His unfailing word. We too must cling tenaciously to the promises of our unchanging God, even when their fulfillment seems impossible to us. Our hope finds no anchor in this world's momentary afflictions, but in the unshakable realities of the eternal Kingdom. As we persevere in faithfulness to God’s call on our lives, we join the company of those amazing heroes of the faith foot-soldiers of the faith whose perseverant steps we now re-tread, awaiting the dawn when God's every assurance finds consummate realization. Maintaining such resolute hope requires us to keep our eyes on our Lord's unchanging character. When trials or doubts attack us spiritually, we must stay firmly anchored in God’s steadfastness. His perfect faithfulness in all His promises to His people gives us an unshakeable assurance for the age to come. As iron sharpens iron, so we are called to spur one another onward, confident that our labor in God’s vineyard will produce an abundance of eternal fruit (Romans 8:24-25, Hebrews 6:12, 2 Peter 3:13).
Food for thought: From what divine commitments do you derive persevering hope amid life's turbulence? How might you fortify fraternal bonds of encouragement within the body of Christ? As we walk through this gallery of these amazing people of faith from the Old Testament in Hebrews 11, we quickly realize that they did not just talk the talk; they walked the walk even when it was hard, when their lives were in danger, and when the road ahead seemed impossible. But their trust in God, in His faithfulness to His promises and His steadfastness in His love for them allowed them to what to us seems impossible. In each case, their faith was rewarded by the One in whom they placed their trust. These stories should act, as the Psalmist said, “as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” We might not be facing lions or giants but that does not make our battles any less real. We should let the memory of these heroes of the faith keep our hearts strong with every step we take knowing that our God will see us through it all. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You in the name of Jesus, asking that you would help me to trust in your promises in every circumstance. I pray that I would truly believe the words I claim to believe even when it is hard to do so. When I face challenges or trials, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would give me the strength to endure steadfastly knowing that You are always there. May I never forget the sufferings of Christ as He persevered for me and may that truth help me to suffer well for Your glory. I pray that my steadfastness would be a light to others helping them to gram in their faith as the example of the heroes of the faith of Hebrews 11 have helped me. I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Hebrews 11:39-40 – “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” With His Blessings, Pastor Corby
Comments