BY FAITH I…

BY FAITH I…

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— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 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— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. —Hebrews 11:32-40

            By faith, followers of our Lord God Almighty did mighty things.  In this chapter testimonies are given about—

  • Abel
  • Enoch
  • Noah
  • Abraham
  • Sarah
  • Isaac
  • Jacob
  • Joseph
  • Moses
  • Those coming out of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea on dry ground
  • Rahab
  • Gideon
  • Brak
  • Samson
  • Jephthah
  • David
  • Samuel
  • The prophets
  • Women who received by their dead by resurrection
  • Those who were tortured
  • Those who suffered mocking
  • Those who suffered flogging
  • Those who suffered chains
  • Those who suffered imprisonment
  • Those who were stoned
  • Those who were sawn in two
  • Those who were killed with the sword
  • Those who went about in skins of sheep
  • Those who went about in skins of goats
  • Those who were destitute
  • Those who were afflicted
  • Those who were mistreated
  • Those who wandered in the deserts
  • Those who wandered in the mountains
  • Those who wandered in dens
  • Those who wandered in caves

All these were commended for their faith.  All these, except Enoch, did in faith.  Chapter 11 is a powerful chapter of faith testimonies that should encourage us on.  As a matter of fact we are told in chapter 12:1-2 that “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  So, are you running the faith race marked out for you obediently?  May it be so as you keep “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son.  Thank You for all these testimonies of the faithful of the past to encourage me on in the present.  Oh, that “By faith” I would do Your will!  By faith I… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhk_5c6H-yc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sgfoGoBhC8

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