#DailyDevotion Faith In Christ Jesus Formed The Actions Of The Saints
Heb. 11 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell when the people marched around them seven days. 31By faith the prostitute Rahab welcomed the spies as friends and didn’t perish with her disobedient people. 32And what more should I say? There will not be time enough for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33who by faith conquered kingdoms, did righteous works, received what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, 34put out raging fires, escaped death by the sword, found strength when weak, proved to be mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead back alive. Some were tortured; they refused to be freed, in order to rise to a better life.
You might wonder what would marching around a walled city do? Well, normally, probably nothing. It might frighten the inhabitants. But the LORD gave directions to Joshua. He heard, believed and then did what he was told. The walls fell down as the LORD had promised and they, with the LORD fighting for them, took the city.
The prostitute Rahab had heard all that the LORD had done for the Israelites in the past. She had heard how the LORD had given into their hands the kings Og and Shihon. She believed the LORD would give them this city as well. Because of this, she repented, that is she changed sides and put her trust in the God of Israel. So she welcomed the Israelite spies. They told her to put a scarlet thread in her window and she and her household would be saved. She believed, did as was told and would become the ancestor of our LORD Jesus Christ.
The then recounts in quick fashion some of those memorable people from the Old Testament who acted in faith: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthat, David, Samuel and the prophets. You would think he might have expanded a bit more on David. What did these people accomplish by faith in the promises of God? They “conquered kingdoms, did righteous works, received what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, 34put out raging fires, escaped death by the sword, found strength when weak, proved to be mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight.” When we are fearful about our circumstances we should look at these people and believe Jesus’ promises. One, that He is with us always, even unto the end of the age. Secondly, the Father knows what we need and He will supply it at the appropriate time. He has given us the LORD’S Prayer, the contents therein is the will of God for you. He will answer this prayer with yes if you believe it.
He recounts how some women had received their dead back (perhaps the widows of Elijah and Elisha, or perhaps someone Jesus had risen from the dead). Some were tortured. Many prophets were tortured as well as the apostles and many disciples of Jesus. They refused to be freed in order to rise to a better life. We too in the midst of many trials, tribulations and troubles need to remain faithful to God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. This isn’t our best life. We too are looking to rise to a better life. We are looking to inherit the earth, God’s righteousness, God Himself and all that He possesses being co-heirs with Christ. Since we have seen Jesus Christ risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, how will we live our lives of faith? How will we face the troubles brought upon us? We shall face with courage and strength from the LORD. Anything in this life is only temporary and transitory. What Jesus has given us is eternal.
Heavenly Father, give us Your Holy Spirit that we may have the same faith as ouf fathers so we may live strong and courageous in everything life dishes out at us so we may live to Your glory and honor. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.