Hall of Fame
Opening Prayer
Lord, I’m thankful for how You preserved the faith and how You provided people who passed it on to me.
Read Hebrews 11:32-40
[32] And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. [35] Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. [36] Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. [37] They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- [38] the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. [39] These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. [40] God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How are these “heroes of the faith” described (38,39)?Hebrews 11 gives us a fantastic list of people who can encourage us in our walk with God. All were faithful servants who conquered kingdoms, brought the dead back to life and suffered at the sword. They were people who struggled in their faith, yet persisted in the knowledge that glory awaited them with their King in heaven. Their lives serve as an example to us. Our broken, fallen world was not worthy of them.
These great men and women of God still haven’t fully received what they were promised because God, in his mercy, is waiting for our generation to turn to him. Gideon, David, Samson—all continued in their faith so that we and millions more might hear of Christ.
We will one day join these saints in heaven. Will your name be in that roll-call? Thank God for those people who have inspired you to continue in your Christian walk, whether through public teaching, personal rebuke or private prayer. Pray that they may know that their faithful encouragement is not in vain.
Apply
How can you encourage someone to keep striving for Jesus? Write a note encouraging them to live for Christ.
Closing prayer
Lord, just as You provided people to encourage me in my faith, use me to do the same for others.
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