And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; 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…” (Hebrews 11:32-34).
The eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews gives us an incisive chronicle of the acts of faith by our spiritual forebears and how they accomplished seemingly impossible feats through faith. Beginning with Abraham, the father of faith, we see how these great men of old became champions in life, accomplishing phenomenal feats by faith.
However, the scripture declares that these great men and their uncommon victories couldn’t be made perfect without us because God has provided better things for us (Hebrews 11:40). Also, their faith serves as an example for us to follow, and their deeds were written for our inspiration and edification. Let’s for instance consider the attitude of one of these great men of faith—Caleb. Caleb was so full of faith that at age eighty-five, when he ought to have long retired from “active military service,” said to Joshua, “Remember that forty years ago, God made a promise through Moses to give me Hebron? Give me Hebron now and I will drive out the giants” (Joshua 14:10-12).
The fifteenth chapter of the book of Joshua told us how he drove out the giants from Hebron without requesting help from the army of Israel. All Caleb needed was the assurance that God was with him. His faith in God made him understand he didn’t need help from man to take a mountain full of giants. That’s the mentality we ought to have always, because we are born into this great family of faith.
You can live everyday in total victory and experience an unending stream of the miraculous as you learn to put your faith to work the way the patriarchs listed in faith’s hall of fame did. The Bible admonished us to be “followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). This refers to those who, through faith faced and overcame whatever was before them. They spoke forth words of faith and declared what would happen, and it came to pass.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, the prophets of old, the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles have all set for us examples of faith to emulate. Don’t be the weak-link in the chain. You belong in the family of faith, therefore be bold to act your faith today.
Confession
I’m the faith-child of a faith-God. I live my life based on the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. My life is upward and forward because my faith is strong and unwavering. Thank you Father for the great things you’ll accomplish through me today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study Hebrews 11:8: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:7: By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
