Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 11: 39-12: 2, NRSV.
Merciful Father, today as we study Your Word, please open our eyes to what is at stake as, by Your grace, we journey toward eternal life. This is our prayer in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
You will notice that the last thought of Hebrews 11, serves as a link to Hebrews 12. In the religious world we refer to Hebrews 11, as “Faith’s Hall of Fame.” In it are listed all of the heroes and heroines, whose faith stand as a testimony to the power of God, unto salvation. We read the story of these biblical giants, and maybe some may raise their eyebrows as to why some of them are listed (Rahab, Samson, David); while others are not mentioned by name – their deeds are in verses 33, 34, 37, (Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-Nego, Stephen). You see my friends, God speaks to us in many ways. When God does something that we are not expecting, what we would not consider doing, I refer to it as: “God making a statement.”
Well in chapter 11 of Hebrews, God not only made a statement, He preached a sermon on some of the things we can expect, as we run the race of eternal life. As I study it further, I believe He was also preparing us for some of the surprises we will receive in heaven. Some of the people that in our opinion, “could never make it into the kingdom” will be there, while many who we were sure, would be the first to enter, will not be there. The only pleasant surprise I want, is to be there; a sinner saved by the matchless grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!
We will be going to Matthew 10, and begin to look at some of the snares that many Christians may encounter along the road to eternal life. These topics are not very popular in today’s Christian world. The air is buzzing with only the positive things that can take place in the life of the Christian. The Prosperity Gospel is at an all time high, and I love the prosperity gospel, because Jesus did promise His followers “an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands[.]” But how? [W]ith persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10: 30, emphasis provided). At this time I will paraphrase Jesus’ words to the Pharisees, “You should have preached these things without leaving out the other” (Matthew 23: 23).
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘ “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. ” ‘ ” (Matthew 10: 28-32).
I can see why a prosperity gospel could be more attractive than a gospel that predicts our possible demise. But how encouraging, in the midst of such a gospel, to receive the sweet assurance that, the God you and I serve, holds the key to death and the grave! How wonderful is that! There is no need to fear death because it is a conquered foe! It is not over until the Master gives the last Word! They cannot kill the body unless He allows it, and whatever He allows, He gives us the grace to endure (1 Corinthians 10: 13)! The message in Jesus’ gospel is, Do not fear men, honor me! I am in control! I have not left you as orphans in this world, I love you and I am keeping watch over you. You are much more precious to me than many little birds!
If you preach me a gospel, about a God who knows the number of hairs in my head, I will want to hear more of that gospel. We live in a hostile world, we need a God who covers us with His blood and does not allow anything, that is not in accordance with His will, to touch us! “This great cloud of witnesses” all testify to that fact!
We will continue!
NOTE: My sincere regrets that today’s devotional was inadvertently not published earlier!