SPIRITUAL
DIARY FOR 06-20-03
My
Worship Time Focus: Others who had faith
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Hebrews 11:33-34
Message
of the verses: “33 who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from
weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of
aliens.” (ASV) “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 the
whole armies to flight.” (NLT)
The writer
now moves on to events that probably happened to different people, but from
this point on he does not mention anyone’s names, as he puts these events into
categories. There were many leaders in Israel’s past who subdued kingdoms; men
like Joshua, David, Samson and some of the other judges and kings did
this. There were many leaders who ruled
with justice, men like David, Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, Josiah, and a whole list
of other kings who ruled justly. Men
like Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon obtained promises from God. When you think of men who stopped the mouths
of lions there are three who come to mind; Daniel, David, and Samson. Verse 34 speaks of quenching the power of
fire, and this reminds me of Daniel’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. David is one who escaped the edge of the
sword when Saul was chasing him, and others did this who were in battles
too. There is quite a list of men in the
OT who were at one time weak and then God gave them strength, men like Ehud,
Jael, Gideon, Samson, and Hezekiah.
Spiritual
meaning for my life today: As I look
at these list of events that the writer of Hebrews gives out here in these
verses and then think about the fact that there were many men who had true
Bible faith in doing these events in their lives it makes me think that God has
things He wants me to do in my life that He has prepared me to do, and desires
me to do them based on faith in Him, and in believing what He has said in His
Word. As I said in yesterday’s spiritual
diary, I believe that believers are still living out this eleventh chapter of
Hebrews today, and that in heaven someday will be read by the Lord.
The Word of God was challenging to my heart, and it was
refreshing at the same time.
My
Steps of Faith Today: To
continue to stand on and to the Word of God as I go through this storm that the
Lord has called me to go through.
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