Good Morning Friends,
“And what more shall I say? I do not have
time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the
prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and
gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of
the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to
strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women
received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and
refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still
others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in
two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and
goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated -- the world was not worthy of
them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the
ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received
what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only
together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:32-40)
The Hebrew writer completes his Hall of Faith
with a flurry of names and exploits. All of the names mentioned are examples of
great faith. Some of the names are unfamiliar even to those who have been
believers for many years. Most of us would be hard pressed to tell the story of
Barak and Jephthah. And many of the exploits that are listed are without the
names of those who did them. Some of the stories aren’t even in the Bible! They
are unrecorded deeds of unknown men and women of faith. Unknown to us, and
certainly unknown to the world, but not unknown to the Lord.
It’s been about 2,000 years since the book of
Hebrews was written. The list of men and women of faith and the details of what
they have done would be much longer now. Faith did not die when the New
Testament was completed. Contemporary stories could be added to the list. Few
of the stories would make the history books. Few of the people would have their
biographies recorded on Wikipedia or in Who’s Who. But God knows them all.
Our names could be added, too. It doesn’t
require great education. It doesn’t require extraordinary talent. It doesn’t
even require a huge amount of faith. After all, Jesus said even faith the size
of a mustard seed could do great things. (see Matthew 17:20) All it requires is
that we believe God, listen to His voice, and follow Him. When we do that, God
will never forget!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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