Do I need to give more examples? I do not have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Through their faith they defeated kingdoms. They did what was right, received God’s promises, and shut the mouths of lions.
Women received their dead relatives raised back to life. Others were tortured and refused to accept their freedom so they could be raised from the dead to a better life. Some were laughed at and beaten. Others were put in chains and thrown into prison.
The world was not good enough for them!
All these people are known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. God planned to give us something better so that they would be made perfect, but only together with us. (Hebrews 11:32-33, 35-36, 38-40 NCV)
This record of faith, people who trusted in the Living God, reveals the nature of true faith. It is far more than a belief system or ideology. This kind of faith is a personal trust relationship of substance and depth.
Do you trust in God this way? Thousands in oppressive regions do, and though we need to pray for them, we also need to emulate their faith and make it our own. ©Word-Strong_2014