Slices
Prepare
‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Deuteronomy 31:8). Meditate on his presence.
Bible passage
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawn in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and ill-treated – 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Explore
In today’s passage, further heroes of faith are mentioned by name or role (v 32) and their exploits recorded (vs 33, 34). However, verse 35 onwards reads like a catalogue of suffering. I find that encouraging. Even if nobody else ever hears about it, God sees and remembers the times that we persevere when our faith is tested (vs 35–38).
Sometimes we Christians measure faith by what is received. ‘If you had enough faith, you’d be healed.’ Or, ‘He must have really strong faith because God has blessed him so much.’ Or, ‘She must have misunderstood God’s call because things haven’t worked out for her.’ Maybe we don’t say it so directly, but we can be tempted to feel that way. Yet, in this passage, people are commended for their faith in God in spite of the circumstances (v 39). God does not measure faith by answered prayer but by our faithfulness to him whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to follow Christ in post-Christian western culture, will our faith withstand pressure, threats and suffering? If the heroes of today’s passage remained faithful in the days before Jesus’ coming, how much more should we, who have been saved by faith and filled with his Spirit?
Respond
When was the last time you read a Christian biography? Seek out books or podcasts about the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters who are experiencing persecution.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 35,36; Psalm 19
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the Gen Alpha working group in Wales as they explore the implications of the Gen Alpha research project and seek to implement its recommendations. Pray too for Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners across Wales as they prepare to deliver Easter events in their local communities.
