Hebrews 11:32-40

Keeping your eyes on the faithful promises of God is challenging and victorious, but requires focused endurance.

Throughout Hebrews 11, we have seen the worship of Abel, the walk of Enoch, the work of Noah and the witness of Abraham. We have seen Jacob, Isaac and Joseph pass on a promise to a generation that would never experience the fullness of it. We have seen Moses make intentional decisions to live on the mission God placed before him and see some remarkable miracles along the way. We saw the Israelites cross the Red Sea on dry ground and defeat a city with a patient, trusting obedience. We saw Rahab preserved and honored because she took a risk to spare God’s people and glorify the Lord.

To tell God’s redeeming story found in the remainder of the Old Testament would take months. So the author of Hebrews gives a few highlights.

Keeping our eyes on the faithful promises of God will bring great victories into our lives.

Hebrews 11:32–34 ESV

32 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— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 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.

The story of Gideon is found in Judges 6-8. He was a fearful young man that was trying to keep some food for his family. He was scraping by with what seemed to be never enough. An angel appeared before him and proclaimed him to be a mighty man of valor and spoke victory into his life. His instructions led to a new courage for the cause of Christ, ultimately defeating 120,000 soldiers with 300. God set Gideon up for victory that is humanly unexplainable because Gideon believed the Lord and walked in faithfulness.

The story of Barak is found in Judges 5. He wasn’t as courageous as Gideon. He lived with the tension of his doubt and faith. He needed a team to experience the victory that God for him. Part of Barak’s story was that he overcame personal obstacles so he could see the faithful promises of God.

Some of you know the story of Samson. He had a stubborn heart. He wanted to satisfy his body more than he wanted to satisfy the Lord’s call on his life. He was selfish. He spent most of his years lost in a pursuit of something that would never bring joy to his life. Yet, God gave him great strength that defeated the Philistines until he chose to please people rather than please the Lord. He was captured, his strength was gone, his eyes were taken. It is safe to say that he hit rock bottom. Life could not have been worse for Samson. During a dinner party, he was brought to the center of room to be mocked. In that vulnerable moment, he quietly prayed to the Lord “would you remember just this once.” Judges 16 says that Samson pushed the main pillars of the building and it collasped on all who were there. He killed more people at his death than in all the rest of his life combined.

David was the greatest of all the kings of Israel. He is known as a man after God’s own heart. He was shepherd boy turned king. He was extremely loyal. He faced Goliath when everybody else was too scared. He committed adultery, murder and then conspired to cover it up. He was repentant when his sin was called out. One of his sons raped one of his daughters. One son murdered another son. One son tried to steal to kingdom from his dad. David had more drama than all of our families combined. He is known as a man after God’s own heart.

Samuel was a young boy when he first heard the Lord’s voice and he became the spiritual voice to Israel for many decades.

Daniel is one of my biblical heroes because he was unwavering for the truth of God’s Word. He didn’t sway to the left or the right. He didn’t cave to the pressures of other people. He represented the Lord always and he remained on the steady mission God called him into.

Daniel was able to do those things because he lived with spiritual discipline and resolve his entire life. As a young teenager in the royal line, he was taken captive. Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself…”

I’m not taking part in the noise around me. I’m not too concerned with trending topics. Distractions won’t steal my joy. Other humans don’t determine my mission. God’s Word determines my mission. Daniel’s decision should be our decision because the mission is great and steady and precious. Friends, the enemy wants to see us to disengage and abort.

Keeping our eyes on the faithful promises of God will bring challenges into our lives.

Hebrews 11:35–38 ESV

35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 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— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

As Americans, we may never experience torture. We may never be arrested and imprisoned for our faith. Probably won’t be stone or sawn in two for Jesus. Americans, in America, have been killed because they walk with Jesus. American Christians are mistreated. American Christians are persecuted. American Christians are told we can’t talk about certain things. American Christians are isolated. American Christians are overlooked for job promotions. American Christian students are given failing grades because they include evangelical beliefs in college papers. American Christians are tempted to compromise and cheat every day of their lives. American Christians don’t invite their friends to church because most can’t handle being rejected, so they convince themselves that spiritual lukewarmness is better than human rejection. American Christians take their eyes off the faithful promises of God because there are seemingly no immediate consequences.

Keeping our eyes on the faithful promises of God requires focused endurance.

Hebrews 11:39–40 ESV

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

I’m a little heartbroken this morning…

According to Michigan Health and Human Services, almost 1200 die every year in Lenawee County. Roughly 900 die in our community every year without knowing Jesus.

Exodus 4:1–2 - Then Moses answered, “they will not believe me or listen to my voice…” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

Throughout Hebrews 11, we have seen men and women use what God put in their hand to proclaim God’s redeeming promises to those around them. Will you take your turn?

Friends, what has God placed in your hands and how will you use that to continually bring one more person to faith in Jesus Christ?