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.

Faith is never a guarantee of a wonderful life on earth.  We tend to place a high priority on things like prosperity, comfort, and security.  There is nothing wrong with these things, but they are not the promises of faith for this life.  They are absolutely a few of the eternal promises of faith.  Rather, faith promises us a meaningful life on earth that results in an eternal life of perfection in the presence of God.  

FAITH PRODUCED GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The things that all the men and women mentioned in this passage were able to accomplish are astounding.  They were warriors who were victorious against all odds.  They were used to bring about God’s justice in a world that is full of injustices.  God fulfilled His promises to and through these amazing people.  Facing lions, fires, swords and even the death of children are the things of the valiant.  However, the phrase that jumps out in describing these heroes of the faith is that they “were made strong out of weakness.”  These were not super humans.  Thery were weak and flawed people who became heroes because they simply believed God.  This is God’s mathematical equation: weakness + faith = valor.  Faith is the essential ingredient on the road to greatness.

FAITH PERSEVERED IN GREAT SUFFERINGS: Great accomplishments are certainly more attractive to us than great agony.  The sin cursed world in which we live means that godly people will suffer.  The only perfect Person who ever walked the face of this earth suffered greatly.  So what is the key to being able to hold up in this kind of context?  FAITH!  Weak people empowered by faith were able to persevere in the face of unbelievable suffering.  They would not deny their faith or the Lord in order to alleviate the torture they were enduring.  What kept them going was their faith and hope in a resurrected life that would far exceed the sufferings of this life.  Being mocked, flogged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in half, and stabbed is not a life anyone would desire but faith allowed these men and women endured because of faith.  The discomfort they had to live with in this world will stand in stark contrast to their eternal dwellings.  This world was not worthy of them, but their faith made them worthy of the world that is yet to come. 

FAITH PROVIDED FOR GREAT REWARDS: We do not know a lot about the eternal rewards that are in store for the faithful.  We do, however, know the Rewarder and can have full assurance that they will be spectacular far exceeding our expectations.  All these amazing men and women died without receiving their rewards because God had us in mind and wanted us to be able to join in on the pleasure of knowing and serving Him.  The promise of faith for them and for us is nothing less than perfection.  Weak and flawed people who walk by faith will be able to accomplish great things on earth in the midst of untold sufferings and will experience eternal perfection in the presence of God.  That is the hope of the Gospel and the power of faith.

APPLICATION: Never allow our weaknesses to limit accomplishments.  Use our weaknesses as motivation to trust God to work through them.  Be prepared to face persecution and great discomfort in this sin cursed world.  Face sufferings with faith in the promises of God.  Don’t be discouraged or tempted to quit look forward and look up to the eternal perfection that God has promised.  

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