The life that pleases God is the life that is lived by faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith can operate in the life of any person who will listen to God's Word, believe it, and surrender to God's will.
The writer of Hebrews gave many examples of those who lived by faith. From the days of Adam and Eve to the day in which the writer was writing this letter, there were those in every age who lived by faith. In the previous verses, the writer mentioned examples from Genesis through Joshua.
In Genesis, there were Abel, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. In Exodus through Deuteronomy, there was Moses. In Joshua, there were Joshua and Rahab.
In this chapter, the writer mentioned examples from the rest of the Old Testament and examples from his day. But the writer only mentioned them by name or by a brief reference to the deeds which identified them.
FAITH CONQUERING
Gideon.
He was frightened farmer whose faith did not grow strong all at once. But he was used of God to defeat Israel's enemy in a most unusual fashion (Judges 6:11-7:25).
Barak.
He won a resounding victory over Sisera, but he needed Deborah the prophetess as his helper to 234
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assure him (Judges 4:1-5:31.) Both Gideon and Barak are encouragement to us who falter in our faith.
Samson.
Samson was a Nazarite from his birth. He had problems with women, but he did trust God to help and deliver him. In the end, Samson was willing to give his life to defeat the enemy (Judges chapters 13-16).
David.
By faith, he subdued kingdoms and obtained promises.
Samuel.
He was a judge and prophet who worked righteousness by faith.
Daniel.
By faith, he stopped the mouth of lions.
The three Hebrew children.
By faith, the violence of fire was quenched.
Elijah and Jeremiah "escaped the edge of the sword" by faith.
Out of weakness others were made strong.
Abraham.
Romans 4:20: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was
strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Saul.
Uzziah.
2 Chronicles 24:15, 16: 15But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he
died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. 16And they buried
him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel,
both toward God, and toward his house.
Encouragements to be strong.
Ephesians 6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of
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his might.
Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2 Timothy 2:12: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he
also will deny us:
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10: 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
They waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Some examples are David, Joshua, and Hezekiah.
FAITH SUFFERING
Women received their dead raised to life again (Verse 35a). The widow at Zarephath was one (1
Kings 17:8-24), and the Shunammite woman was another, (2 Kings 4).
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance in order that they might obtain a better resurrection. Beginning with this statement in Vs 35 and continuing through Vs38, the writer recorded the fact that many unnamed men and women of faith were not delivered from difficult circumstances. Yet God honored their faith. Sometimes, it takes more faith to endure that it does to escape. Believers should always obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
What does the writer say about these unnamed men and women of faith? The writer stated that the world was not worthy of these individuals (Verse 38a). These obtained a good report by faith (Verse 39). Although they lived their lives by faith, they did not receive the promise. Note Hebrews 11:13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,
and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth." God had a plan for them and us (Verse 40).
Conclusion
Faith enables us to turn from the approval of the world and seek only the approval of God. If God is glorified by delivering His people, He will do it. If He sees fit to be glorified by not delivering His people, He will do that. But we must never conclude that the absence of deliverance means a lack of faith on the part of God's children.
Faith looks to the future because that is where the greatest rewards are found. The people named in this chapter did not receive "the promises" (Verses l3, 39), but they had God's witness to their faith that one day they will be rewarded.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). But this kind of faith grows as we 236
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listen to God's Word (Romans 10:17), and fellowship in worship and prayer. Faith is possible to all kinds of believers in all kinds of situations. It is not a luxury for a few "elite saints." It is a necessity for ALL of God's people (Hebrews 10:38; 11:6).
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