There are so many great truths in Hebrews! I love the verses that are well known. Hebrews 4:15 & 16, 10:25, 11:1,6 are a few. Of course, most Bible-believing Baptists know all about Hebrews 11 – “The Hall of Faith” it has been called. It is an amazing chapter! It chronicles the lives of great Old Testament Christians beginning with Abel, telling of the sacrifices they made for the cause of Christ. And yet, they never saw the promise of a Savior fulfilled! They believed in Him, yet they never saw Him. But they didn’t just believe in Him the way people do today, with lipservice only. Some lost everything, some died for Him.
These passages always make me get a lump in my throat…they are so convicting.
Hebrews 11:36-39
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:37 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;38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
I am such a wimp! And if you’re honest, you probably are too. How can I complain about the trials I am facing? And believe you me, I am queen of the complaint kingdom! The Bible – God’s Word- says of these great Christians, “(Of whom the world was not worthy:)” Wow! God values faithfulness. He values loyalty. These folks simply trusted Him and kept going even though it cost them the ultimate sacrifice in some cases…their lives, and God said the world wasn’t worthy of them.
Hebrews 11:6 says But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. To please the Lord we must have faith in Him and realize that He rewards us for seeking to know Him more.