Saturday, June 28, 2003
A day to rest. What a blessing. Got to do a bit of reading. I was going through Hebrews 11. Thought I'd share a little. :) It's profound. Really got me thinking. Paul starts off by defining faith. Then he gives a long list of examples...the patriarchs and prophets...all the famous stalwarts. Incredible people who lived incredible lives because they had faith in an incredible God. After a long list (it's all good) Paul gets to the part I really like. :)
"And what shall I say more? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak and of Samson, and of Jeptha: of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy) They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I love how he balances it. He tells of all the spectacular victories, the miracles God did for His people, but he also tells about the apparent defeats. The suffering. The martyrs. Inspires a solemn awe. What people went through for what they believed. What they went through for God. Makes me ask myself if what I have is as real as that. And then Paul points out that they did not receive the promise...yet. They died, but it is not in vain because the testimony of their lives has been left for me (a great cloud of witnesses) :) so that I can be made perfect with them when Jesus comes--if I will put down the weights. Why do I keep trying to run while clinging to those cursed weights? It just doesn't work. I need to put those things down by the grace of God. Paul also says to run with patience. I shouldn't quit when things get tough. When I fall I need to get back up. Need to "hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering, for God is faithful who promised." He's the Author, and He's the Finisher. It's all Him. RAD. :) ¶ 10:11 PM
"And what shall I say more? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak and of Samson, and of Jeptha: of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy) They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
I love how he balances it. He tells of all the spectacular victories, the miracles God did for His people, but he also tells about the apparent defeats. The suffering. The martyrs. Inspires a solemn awe. What people went through for what they believed. What they went through for God. Makes me ask myself if what I have is as real as that. And then Paul points out that they did not receive the promise...yet. They died, but it is not in vain because the testimony of their lives has been left for me (a great cloud of witnesses) :) so that I can be made perfect with them when Jesus comes--if I will put down the weights. Why do I keep trying to run while clinging to those cursed weights? It just doesn't work. I need to put those things down by the grace of God. Paul also says to run with patience. I shouldn't quit when things get tough. When I fall I need to get back up. Need to "hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering, for God is faithful who promised." He's the Author, and He's the Finisher. It's all Him. RAD. :) ¶ 10:11 PM
