These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-30 NIV
Hebrews 11 gives us a glimpse into the lives of men and women who have gone before us in the faith. While we’ve come to love and respect these heroes of the Old Testament, we should understand that they are our spiritual ancestors and we too have a role to play in the family history. When the last stroke of God’s word was penned, the story didn’t end there! We are living the continuation of God’s story until the final day when all of us, together with them, will be made perfect! So let’s look at some of the key players in this story and consider where we fit in.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life.
By faith Noah built the ark.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
By faith Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
What is God asking you to do by faith? How will your legacy add to the story of God’s family?
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:24-25 NIV
To live by faith requires that we, like Moses, are willing to suffer, if God allows, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. We’re all called to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ, just like our heroes of old.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and 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. Hebrews 11:32-34 NIV
God may never call us to shut the mouths of lions but as we live the life He’s given us, denying ourselves and carrying our cross, we too will see our weakness turned to strength and we will become powerful in battle against the powers of darkness.
There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed 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, living in caves and in holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:35b-38 NIV
We have a rich family heritage of men and women who were completely committed to their relationship with God. They weren’t perfect, but they were all in! They lived with a focus on eternity rather than pursuing an easy life here on earth. Their lives inspire us to do whatever it takes to remain faithful!
As you live by faith today, know that whatever suffering you may be called to bear, you are in good company. Stand strong and rejoice in the part God has given you in His story, for the story is still being written and your life is part of it!