Hebrews 11:32–40 (ESV)
By Faith
32 And
what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the
mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their
dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They
were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts
and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since
God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
I know the last week or so, there have been many one verse devotions…
but I was separating the “by faith” passages that make up the historical heroes of faith through the Old Testament. Today’s reading is a listing of many others that are heroes too. The highlight to and reason for all these “by faith” readings is summed up in verse 39-40: “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something
better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. We too have not seen our promised land (Heaven) or our Lord Jesus Christ… yet we still believe. The summary for all these past readings is stated in the Lutheran Study
Bible states as: “Faith trusts even without sight what God has set forth in His Word. True faith is active in love and is steadfast under persecution. By His resurrection, Christ conquered death and now provides His Holy Spirit to strengthen us.
I pray: “Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us; Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us; And in the day when hell itself assails us,
Grant us Your peace, Lord.” Amen.[1]