Hebrews 11 Devotional #8: Faith's Tenacity
Scripture:
And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. – Hebrews 11:32-38 (NRSV)
Prayer:
God of Long Journeys,
Grant us faith’s courage to take first steps;
not knowing whether we will lead armies or be tortured;
rule courtrooms or be mocked and flogged.
Grant us faith’s perspective to stay on the path;
whether promise fulfilled or stalled out in poverty;
daring escape or imprisoned in cells.
It matters not if we are valiant heroes or forgotten in exile:
Grant us faith’s tenacity to press on;
holding your vision in our hearts;
and seeing it through;
In honor of those—becoming those—of whom the world is not worthy.
-Amen