Faith in Troubled Times (Heb. 11:35-38)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 06-23-03

 

My Worship Time                                                                Focus:  Faith in troubled times

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                  Reference:  Hebrews 11:35-38

 

            Message of the verse:  “35 Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  36 and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38  (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.” 

            In the first part of verse 35 we see that there were some women in the OT who received their loved ones back from the dead.  This is probably referring to when Elijah and Elisha were on the earth as prophets of God:  “1 Kings 17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived.  2 Kings 4:34 And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm.  2 Kings 4:35 Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes.”

            These were wonderful answers to faith and trust in the Lord, but the remaining events described in verses 35-38 are not as pleasant for in them we read of much persecution and pain because of their faith in God. I do not know of all these incidents, and to where they’re are found in the OT for it does not recorded all of them as they are described here.  What I do want to do is focus in on the first part of verse 38 which says “they were too good for this world.”  It has been well said that earth is not my home, I am only passing through, and there are times when believers need to understand this.  In this world today it is said that on the average of 400 believers die each day for the cause of Christ, and others are tortured for their faith.  As stated in an earlier SD, and I believe that Hebrews chapter 11 is continuing on with the events that are taking place in the Church since this letter has been written.  There are people who have had wonderful miracles happen to them and then there are others who have suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, even up and including in today’s time.  Jesus Christ suffered and died for the Church and He said that there would be some that would do the same, and it is comforting to know that He has been through this and can give comfort to those who are going through it now.  Hebrews says of Abraham that he did not receive all the promises that God had made to him while he was on the earth, however he will receive them along with all believers, because those promises were also about a heavenly kingdom and a city that is being built by God.  See John 14:1-3.  “1 "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  2  "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  3  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  For many years of my Christian life I have not clearly understood the story of Abraham concerning all of the promises that God had given to him.  It had always seemed to me that some of them were not fulfilled and that is what I did not understand.  Now I believe that these promises of a land and a city were that of the one that Jesus mentions in John 14:1-3 and this gives new meaning to me because It shows me that indeed this is not my home, and even though there are times when things seem to be going good that can all change in a moment, however I am encouraged by the truth that God is in control and that He is preparing a place for me, and that He has given a Person to me, and that He has given a peace to me.

 

The Word of God was full of challenges as I read it this morning, yet it was also very refreshing to me too.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to live my life like this is not my home, but to do things that have an eternal value to them.  I want to be sensitive to what the Lord has for me to do each day of my life, and by His grace do it for His glory.