Great Faith

Great Faith

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. . . .

But others . . . were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith.

Hebrews 11:33-39

There’s a big difference between the people described in the first part of this list in Hebrews 11 and the people in the second part, isn’t there? Everything seemed to go right for the people in the first part—they were victorious and saw God at work on their behalf. But when we read the second half of the list, we kind of wonder why God didn’t show up and stop the people from being tortured, why God allowed these followers to face poverty and beatings and even death.

We could be tempted to think that the people in the first group had faith while those in the second didn’t. But “all these people earned a good reputation because of their faith.” There are some people who teach that the life of faith will bring health, wealth, and success, and that if those things are lacking it’s because faith is lacking. But God does not necessarily reward faith with an easy life here. He rewards faith with the blessing of more of himself—in this life and in the life to come. He offers more of his presence and power, in the midst of good times and bad. It takes great faith to depend on God to do great things. And it takes tremendous faith to trust God and stand for him in the face of torture, hunger, and death. Faith says, “Whether I succeed or fail, live or die, I’m yours, God.”

DISCUSSION STARTERS

How did the people in the first paragraph live out their faith?

How did the people in the second paragraph live out their faith?

How do you live out your faith?