What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens…. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:32-34, 39-40 (NKJV).
Ok, Hebrews 11 has to be my favorite chapter in the Bible! I love all the examples of faith from both the Old and New Testament. But my favorite verse is 39: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did NOT receive the promise….” They went their whole lives, without ever receiving the promise!” These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them” (vs. 13). They were willing to trust God and have faith even if it was only with the “substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen” (vs. 1), and not the actual fulfillment. Oh, what faith! But that’s not to say that they will never receive the promise! Oh, no! You see, “God has provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (vs. 40). When Jesus comes again, the dead in Christ will rise, and together we will receive the promise: the “heavenly country” (vs. 16) He has prepared for those who love Him.
What is your favorite chapter in the Bible?
Sarah E. Brown 