Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” This is a chapter we need to visit often, and linger at. If we desire our faith to become strong in the Lord, there is no better place than this Scripture to see what strong faith is. Here we get a view of the history of Israel and the Church, written by faith, in the blood of the saints.
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
They worshiped by faith as Abel, and walked by faith as Enoch. They worked by faith like Noah, and lived by faith as Abraham. They governed by faith as Moses, and they followed by faith as Israel. They fought by faith as Joshua, and conquered by faith as Gideon. They subdued kingdoms as David, and they stopped the mouths of lions as Daniel. They walked through fire by faith as the Three Hebrew Children, the suffered by faith as Paul.
They died by faith as stephen – the first christian martyr
Acts 7:54-60
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
By faith they were patient in suffering, courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness, and were victorious in defeat. They were more than conquerors by faith. It is only by faith in the all-powerful Christ that we can be superior to circumstances, and victorious over all the evil forces that would destroy us and our testimonies.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The faith of the saints inspires us – but we must look to Jesus as our example of faith.
This concludes our Study on Faith – next up – The Abundant Life!
The Vine Vigil 