Hebrews chapter 11 has often been called the faith chapter in Scripture. In these verses God gives us a list of heroes in what we could call Faith’s Hall of Fame. These people did not get on the heroes list for throwing a football or because they are attractive in appearance or because they can sing beautifully. They were listed because of their faith. The list of heroes include people whose faith in God allowed them to do amazing things. People like Noah, Moses, Daniel, Gideon, David, Rahab and Joseph are among those heroes. After listing those who were successful through their faith in God, the writer makes a transition with inserting the word “others”. Hebrews 11:35-36 tells us: “…And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment”.
The Sovereign God of heaven answered prayers, delivered His people, and poured out His blessing on those people of faith. But what about “the others” who were also listed as people of faith? What about those who were tortured, mocked, whipped, imprisoned, stoned, and sawn in two? What about those who were destitute, afflicted, and tormented? Did God drop the ball on the others? Perhaps you have wondered when you hear of God sparing one of His dear children from an accident or healing a believer from cancer if that is the way it always works? Perhaps you find yourself one of the “others” and have begun to wonder what happened? Is my faith deficient because I haven’t seen the same kind of blessing or deliverance? Am I just one of those who just do not measure up? So many of God’s dear people think that they have failed, and God has abandoned them because their lives have turned out differently than other believers they have observed. Their life is not what they expected.
However, we learn from scripture that the same sovereign, loving God that delivers His children from tragedy also allows His dear ones to experience tragedy. The same God who delivers from the fire, allows us to go through the fire. The same God who spares from death also takes some of His children home sooner. The road of life sometimes is clear and smooth but other times it is difficult. It has many twists and turns and narrow passages that causes His dear ones to grip firmly to the wheel and call out to Him frequently. However, whatever happens to us, our God is always right there with us. We are loved and we are treasured by our Lord. God even proclaims over us in Heb. 11:38 that the world is not worthy of His precious “others”.Hebrews chapter 11 has often been called the faith chapter in Scripture. In these verses God gives us a list of heroes in what we could call Faith’s Hall of Fame. These people did not get on the heroes list for throwing a football or because they are attractive in appearance or because they can sing beautifully. They were listed because of their faith. The list of heroes include people whose faith in God allowed them to do amazing things. People like Noah, Moses, Daniel, Gideon, David, Rahab and Joseph are among those heroes. After listing those who were successful through their faith in God, the writer makes a transition with inserting the word “others”. Hebrews 11:35-36 tells us: “…And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment”.
The Sovereign God of heaven answered prayers, delivered His people, and poured out His blessing on those people of faith. But what about “the others” who were also listed as people of faith? What about those who were tortured, mocked, whipped, imprisoned, stoned, and sawn in two? What about those who were destitute, afflicted, and tormented? Did God drop the ball on the others? Perhaps you have wondered when you hear of God sparing one of His dear children from an accident or healing a believer from cancer if that is the way it always works? Perhaps you find yourself one of the “others” and have begun to wonder what happened? Is my faith deficient because I haven’t seen the same kind of blessing or deliverance? Am I just one of those who just do not measure up? So many of God’s dear people think that they have failed, and God has abandoned them because their lives have turned out differently than other believers they have observed. Their life is not what they expected.
However, we learn from scripture that the same sovereign, loving God that delivers His children from tragedy also allows His dear ones to experience tragedy. The same God who delivers from the fire, allows us to go through the fire. The same God who spares from death also takes some of His children home sooner. The road of life sometimes is clear and smooth but other times it is difficult. It has many twists and turns and narrow passages that causes His dear ones to grip firmly to the wheel and call out to Him frequently. However, whatever happens to us, our God is always right there with us. We are loved and we are treasured by our Lord. God even proclaims over us in Heb. 11:38 that the world is not worthy of His precious “others”.