Title Hebrews 11: 30 - 40
Contents Main text: Hebrews 11: 30 - 40
*** Faith that is protected when weakened (verses 30-31)
Sometimes, faith requires us to look foolish to the point of loss of face. We must think about the feelings of those people who went round and round around Jericho without saying a word while the onlookers laughed and ridiculed them. I'm not going to ridicule Christians because they have faith, but you might wonder if they really had to give it that much time. But the fall of Jericho solves my curiosity about these things. Also, we may think that faith is the property of respectable people. However, by introducing Rahab, God shows that even though she was a prostitute, God values the woman's faith. Faith has nothing to do with status, gender, or lifestyle. It is only personal trust in God's sovereignty.
*** The triumph of faith (verses 32-35b)
Looking at the listed names of these brilliant forefathers of faith and the records of their victories, we couldn't help but marvel at the fact that although they were weak humans, they could handle anything when their lives were entirely entrusted to God. How can we expect the triumph of faith in a generation where wherever evil seems to triumph, the innocent are killed, the rulers are corrupt, and there is no justice? However, looking at the words of verse 34, “in weakness, sometimes we are made strong”, we find great comfort. Like the victors above, I think there will be a great miracle for me. When I am weak, my strength can be perfected.
*** Faith in affliction (verses 35b - 38)
As we read the record of this transgression against God's people, we should feel that the suffering we have suffered is not great. Also here we see the atrocities that our ancestors of our faith suffered physically, morally and spiritually, and their courage to endure. There were many ways to suffer, but only one way to fight back. The world tried to annihilate God's people, but the Bible says, "The world is not worthy of such a man." How could the world hurt my faith and how could God allow it? I must make the same confession as Job, who said, “Even if he takes my life, I will believe in him.”
*** Faith teaches patience (verses 39-40)
In this land, these heroes of the faith have no monuments erected to them, and no names engraved on gold plates, so no one praises them. If it were the present generation, their names would be featured in the headlines and their faces would appear on TV, but the world would still not understand the motives for the terrible suffering these people suffered. Even if you endure pain with the courage of faith, there will never be many who will praise you. But you must have courage. Even our ancestors of faith did not receive a greater reward than the Lord's praise. Surprisingly, they are looking forward to meeting us. Then we will drive the Lord face to face together, and we will become like Him who is perfect and holy.