As I conclude the 11th chapter of Hebrews in today's short thoughts, I will include the lengthy portion of scripture that is found in verses 32-40. The author concludes the chapter as he writes, "And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."
"What more shall I say," the author writes. He could go on providing various accounts of a seemingly endless list of those whose faith was worth noting. Time itself would be his only barrier in doing so. But under divine inspiration he has already spoken clearly regarding the importance of faith and the significance of what God can achieve in and through the lives of those who live by it. Each of those who have been mentioned by the
Hebrew writer, whether by name or generically, had faith as their common tie. A faith that was God's conduit for working in their lives.
We should note that faith was seen as the key in both glorious times of accomplishment and in times of great difficulty. I'm reminded of the Apostle Paul's words regarding the learning of contentment and the secret thereof. There should be no doubt that rightly understood and rightly placed faith is necessary for contentment. We may never find ourselves in a situation where, by faith, we would refuse our release in exchange for torture, but faith will always be the high road to take. May our faith ever increase as we
grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
The passage of scripture for today's short thoughts will be from Hebrews 11:31. It is here that we read, "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace." For me, this has been somewhat of a thought provoking passage as I see God inspiring the Hebrew author to write of the faith of a harlot.
It is quite a list of names that Rahab is mentioned in the midst of. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel. Perhaps the human writer even struggled to include her as he was moved to pen this account of Rahab's act of faith. But God would not only include her, He would make certain that the writer included the descriptive words that follow her name. The harlot. Although He had use no descriptive words for the other 15 persons named in the chapter, He would do so with Rahab. We read and believe that all scripture is inspired by God and that it is profitable. I pray that my comments on this verse might only assist in seeing the profit God can give.
I will start with the more obvious; that faith made the difference for Rahab. Because of faith she "did not perish along with those who were disobedient". Faith continues to make the difference today. It is faith that has made the difference in my life and in the lives of all who believe. By God's grace and through faith, we too will not perish with the disobedient, but have eternal life! As we read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
It seems to me that God included the description of Rahab as "the harlot" without hesitation and even for a purpose. And although I would never claim to know exactly why He chose to do so, I would like to share a couple of thoughts that I have had regarding this matter. Perhaps it reminds us that faith is not always as obvious as we might expect. Or that faith is not limited too those who we might determine should possess it. And it is surely a reminder that the choices we make in life regarding our conduct and behavior will often be the means by which we are described or identified. And may we never forget that God is able to cause faith to be wrought in the life of anyone.
When I looked up Webster's definition of harlot, I saw that it made a reference to the word prostitute. I then found that one of the definitions given for prostitute was "to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes". I immediately thought of my own life. Before I had come to know Christ by faith, I too had been devoted to corrupt and unworthy purposes. And now, with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I can sing the words from that wonderful hymn, "What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart".
There is no doubt, that in addition to her act of faith, God was keenly aware of Rahab's entire life, including her life of harlotry. He would have known of the emptiness and shame that such a life would have brought her. And yet He seems unashamed to have named her and her act of faith in this passage of scripture. I am reminded of a sobering truth. The God of creation, The Omniscient One, knows our every thought and deed. Even the intentions of our heart are not hidden from Him. But again, faith has made the difference and the One who has sanctified us is not ashamed to call us brethren. May we be the most grateful of all men.
It is quite a list of names that Rahab is mentioned in the midst of. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel. Perhaps the human writer even struggled to include her as he was moved to pen this account of Rahab's act of faith. But God would not only include her, He would make certain that the writer included the descriptive words that follow her name. The harlot. Although He had use no descriptive words for the other 15 persons named in the chapter, He would do so with Rahab. We read and believe that all scripture is inspired by God and that it is profitable. I pray that my comments on this verse might only assist in seeing the profit God can give.
I will start with the more obvious; that faith made the difference for Rahab. Because of faith she "did not perish along with those who were disobedient". Faith continues to make the difference today. It is faith that has made the difference in my life and in the lives of all who believe. By God's grace and through faith, we too will not perish with the disobedient, but have eternal life! As we read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
It seems to me that God included the description of Rahab as "the harlot" without hesitation and even for a purpose. And although I would never claim to know exactly why He chose to do so, I would like to share a couple of thoughts that I have had regarding this matter. Perhaps it reminds us that faith is not always as obvious as we might expect. Or that faith is not limited too those who we might determine should possess it. And it is surely a reminder that the choices we make in life regarding our conduct and behavior will often be the means by which we are described or identified. And may we never forget that God is able to cause faith to be wrought in the life of anyone.
When I looked up Webster's definition of harlot, I saw that it made a reference to the word prostitute. I then found that one of the definitions given for prostitute was "to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes". I immediately thought of my own life. Before I had come to know Christ by faith, I too had been devoted to corrupt and unworthy purposes. And now, with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I can sing the words from that wonderful hymn, "What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart".
There is no doubt, that in addition to her act of faith, God was keenly aware of Rahab's entire life, including her life of harlotry. He would have known of the emptiness and shame that such a life would have brought her. And yet He seems unashamed to have named her and her act of faith in this passage of scripture. I am reminded of a sobering truth. The God of creation, The Omniscient One, knows our every thought and deed. Even the intentions of our heart are not hidden from Him. But again, faith has made the difference and the One who has sanctified us is not ashamed to call us brethren. May we be the most grateful of all men.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Short Thoughts for Today
Initially I thought that I would not comment specifically on the passage of scripture that I will now use for today's short thoughts. In Hebrews 11:30 the author references one of the more famous Bible stories when he writes, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been circled for seven days". As I thought about this verse a while longer, I sensed God speaking to me about an important truth found here. What initially was a verse I was not going to comment on at all, became one that I felt necessary to do so.
It is really just a reminder of a great truth about God that most believers have already come to know. There are times when God accomplishes His will in ways that seem beyond human reasoning. He seems to do so more often than not. We should not be alarmed when we find that God's ways of accomplishing a particular matter is out of line with the conventional ways of men. His ways are only bound by His divine attributes. The forces of nature that He created do not bind His ways. His ways cannot be bound by academics or human intellect. They are not bound by political correctness. They are not bound by man's own assumptions.
Oh, what a privilege is ours to know the One who is Creator and Sovereign. Perhaps He will not ask you to march around the walls that you come upon in this life and blow a trumpet and shout a great shout for those walls to fall down. But as you place your faith in Him, He may bring down those walls you encounter in ways that defy human logic. The One who walked on water and caused the gale force winds and breaking waves to be still with a word, is for us. May we grow to trust the ever faithful One more and more and rejoice in His glorious ways!
It is really just a reminder of a great truth about God that most believers have already come to know. There are times when God accomplishes His will in ways that seem beyond human reasoning. He seems to do so more often than not. We should not be alarmed when we find that God's ways of accomplishing a particular matter is out of line with the conventional ways of men. His ways are only bound by His divine attributes. The forces of nature that He created do not bind His ways. His ways cannot be bound by academics or human intellect. They are not bound by political correctness. They are not bound by man's own assumptions.
Oh, what a privilege is ours to know the One who is Creator and Sovereign. Perhaps He will not ask you to march around the walls that you come upon in this life and blow a trumpet and shout a great shout for those walls to fall down. But as you place your faith in Him, He may bring down those walls you encounter in ways that defy human logic. The One who walked on water and caused the gale force winds and breaking waves to be still with a word, is for us. May we grow to trust the ever faithful One more and more and rejoice in His glorious ways!
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