John N N Ng’ang’a Meditation of December 23rd, 2024 Hebrews 11 Example of faith through suffering
Day 1
Hebrews 11
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,
The book of Hebrews chapter 11 provides a remarkable roll call of people who trusted in God and the victories they achieved as a result. This chapter recounts countless triumphs born of faith.
Let us look at verse 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."
Take Gideon, for example, as described in the book of Judges. Gideon initially saw himself as weak and insignificant, coming from one of the smallest tribes in Israel. He doubted his own ability until he realized that it was God who was speaking to him. Even then, Gideon sought confirmation that it was truly God. He used a fleece to verify God’s message.
Once Gideon was sure it was God, his courage grew through faith. With that faith, he was able to mobilize people and lead them into battle. However, God tested Gideon’s reliance by reducing the size of his army. God did not want the victory attributed to sheer numbers or human strength. Instead, the glory belonged to God alone. Through this, Gideon learned to trust completely in God’s power and not in the might of his army.
The reason we are reminded of Gideon’s story is to reflect on our own circumstances. Are you facing challenges today? Are you discouraged or struggling to trust God? If so, remember Gideon and the great things he accomplished because he trusted in God. His story serves as a reminder to place your faith in God, no matter the difficulties you face.
Another significant lesson from Gideon’s story is that God is patient and understanding. Gideon asked questions and sought confirmation, yet God did not grow angry with him. This shows us that it is okay to ask God for clarity when we are uncertain.
Finally, Gideon’s story teaches us the importance of acting on faith. Once we have clarity from God, we must step out in faith and trust Him to lead us to victory.
Day 2
Hebrews 11
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.
The next individual mentioned is Barak. In Judges 4:8, we read how the prophetess Deborah summoned Barak, son of Abinoam, from Kadesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabour.’”
Verse 8 records Barak’s response: “If you go with me, I will go; but if you do not go with me, I will not go.” This response does not demonstrate complete faith. Barak did not trust God directly; instead, he placed his trust in Deborah, a woman. Despite this lack of faith, God still came through for them both. However, in terms of reward, it was made clear that the honour of victory would not go to Barak because he relied on a woman’s faith rather than his own trust in God.
When reflecting on Barak, we are reminded that God does not show partiality. He helps all who trust in Him, whether man or woman. Although Barak’s faith was weak, God granted him victory, and his inclusion in the roll call of faith is significant.
The next individual mentioned is Samson. His story shows that God was committed to him even before his birth. Samson’s parents followed God’s instructions, and as a result, he was given great strength to fulfil his divine purpose. Samson achieved many exploits in Israel, but his immorality led to his downfall. His sin cost him his eyes and much of his potential.
However, God did not abandon Samson. As his hair grew back, his strength returned. On the day of his death, he achieved more through his sacrifice than he had during his life.
Reflecting on Samson’s story raises important questions: do we sometimes treat the gifts and blessings of God as if they are ours to use however, we please? Do we allow sin to creep in, believing that past successes guarantee future security? Samson’s immorality serves as a warning that such arrogance can lead to devastating consequences, even for those chosen by God.
Samson’s story is a tragic one. He had immense promise from God and was blessed with loving parents who followed God’s will. Yet, he chose to go his own way, trusting in himself rather than in God. Despite his failures, God remained faithful to the promise made to his parents.
Day 3
Hebrews 11
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;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
The next person listed is Jephthah the Gileadite. He was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead, and his mother was a prostitute, according to Judges 11. Gilead’s wife also bore him other sons, and when they grew up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” So, Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a group of adventurers gathered around him and followed him.
That is Jephthah, with a history that is not particularly interesting. In fact, his early life was filled with difficulties, as we see in Judges 10:6: again, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the LORD and no longer served him, he became angry with them and sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites.
These were the days of Jephthah the Gileadite. We need to ask ourselves, is God calling us in similar times when the circumstances are difficult? Despite some victories, Jephthah was rejected by those who should have accepted him. Do I feel anger or desire for revenge when others mistreat me?
Judges 11:5 says: the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.” Jephthah said to them, “Did you not hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?”
This is an important question to ask ourselves: who are we helping, even when we know that what we have comes from God? Do we use what God has given us based on personal feelings and grudges? Is the knowledge and power God has given us meant for vengeance?
In Judges 11:13, we read: the king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably.”
But Jephthah knew Israel’s history well. He sent messengers back to the Ammonite king, saying: “This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites.”
Of course, this led to a battle, and Israel won. So, what lessons can we learn from Jephthah’s story? Despite a difficult start that might have made him reluctant to fight for those who rejected him, he chose to trust in God’s purpose.
May the Lord help us realize that we cannot be Christians and vengeful at the same time. God clearly says, “Vengeance is mine!” (Romans 12:19). Allow God to use you for His purpose. Trust Him, and He will work through you. You will witness many victories and exploits when you choose to trust in God.
Day 4
Hebrews 11
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.
The next person listed is King David. I have written a book titled Prepare for Leadership about the early part of his life, and Leadership King David Style about his time as king. I have really admired David’s leadership, but the main reason is his faith in God. He knew God could be trusted. He knew God is loving. He exhibited this trust throughout his life and mostly stayed on the straight and narrow. This was true both when he was young and when he was old. David ended up becoming the standard for all Israelite kings. Each king was considered good when he lived like David, his forefather.
This also has to do with his prayer life. It also relates to his full trust in God and his repentance, for although he did fail, he repented.
All of these things are important if you are going to walk like him. May the Lord help you to be like David.
Another person listed is Samuel. Samuel was a judge, prophet, and priest! His story is very interesting! From his miraculous birth to his leadership, it is inspiring. His mother, Hannah, could not have a child for a long time, but when she finally had him, she dedicated him to the temple for training in the priesthood. This was critical.
Samuel ruled Israel, and despite God’s will, he appointed a replacement (King Saul) because the people insisted, and God approved. That is an important detail to note. When learning from those who trusted in God, we should pay attention to such details.
Samuel is a good example. I like how he ended his journey by calling an evaluation meeting: “Hey, do an audit on me—whose cow have I stolen?” He was so sure he had led with integrity that he almost provoked them to speak up. How many of us, as leaders, would want to ask if there was anyone who was unhappy with us? I do not think it would be easy. It is something we should think deeply about.
You remember when Samuel went to anoint one of the sons of Jesse. He and Jesse agreed to start with the older and more capable sons. But Samuel knew he had to listen to God. Although it was not his choice to pick a small boy from the village, it is easy to understand that God meant to appoint David. Despite Samuel’s and Jesse’s initial thinking, Samuel chose to obey God!
If you are going to walk by faith and get results, it will often require overriding your desires and preferences to do what God wants you to do. This is an important lesson. Being replaced is not easy, and having your sons rejected is also hard, but Samuel knew that what mattered most was to do God’s will.
Hebrews 11:33 says:
“Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised, who shut the mouths of lions.”
They trusted in God, and God gave them the ability. This is something important for us to think about. Some administered justice, like Samuel, and gained what was promised. Others shut the mouths of lions.
There are people who administered justice by trusting in God, and there are others who gained what was promised. In other words, it was clear that promises were made, they claimed them by faith, and trusted in God’s willingness to fulfil what He promised. In the end, they were rewarded. This is something you need to ask yourself—whether you are trusting in God’s promises. If you are not, then it will be difficult to say you are walking by faith, as given in the examples.
So, you have to administer justice by faith. Managers, trust God; do not rely on your own wisdom. If you are going to receive God’s promises, trust Him, and you will receive those promises. It is likely that some of those who are not listed by name here are people like Daniel, who shut the mouths of lions. How did he do it? He simply went in, saying, “If God wants me to die, I am okay, but He is also capable of closing the mouths of the lions,” and God did it! In the morning, he came out unscathed.
All of this has to do with trusting in God. The importance of trusting in God cannot be overemphasized. In verse 33, instead of giving names, the writer gives a list of things that were done by faith.
Day 5
Hebrews 11
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.
Some quenched the fury of the flames, and here we are talking about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three boys trusted God so fully and believed in Him so completely. They knew, absolutely knew, that the king was no match for God! They also knew that God could be glorified even if they died in the fire. So, while they did not know what God would do, they knew that God was in charge. This is something we need to reflect on carefully. Do we behave like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Trusting in God, they were willing to go into the fire! They were aware that the God who could prevent them from entering the fire was the same God who could protect them in the fire. Therefore, never give up on God, even when things seem to have gotten to their worst. He is still there, just as He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He quenched the fury of the flames.
Let us first finish verse 34. Not only were there people who quenched the fury of the flames, but there were others who escaped the edge of the sword. Someone sought to kill them, but they did not die. That is what happened to Elijah when Jezebel was angry with him, yet he did not die. What about those who were raised to life again? Elijah did that too.
Verse 35 goes on, listing not people’s faith but the results of faith: “Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain a better resurrection.”
So, there were others who were tortured, and that is an interesting point. Of course, many suffered and were tortured in the process. There were others whose weakness was turned to strength, as we saw with Gideon. Others became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. David did this many times, and I think this will be critical as we prepare our checklist. You need to ask yourself: have you faced situations like this?
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. You can face death yet rise again. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They continued trusting in God, even in chains and imprisonment. God got them out of prison. Joseph is an example. You need to ask yourself if you have experienced something similar.
There were others who were tortured and refused to be released so that they might gain a better resurrection. These were people who trusted in God and did not want to do anything just to gain an advantage. They were put to death by stoning—yes, they trusted in God even when God allowed them to be stoned to death, just as it happened many times to Paul. He was left for dead and then revived to continue preaching in another city. This is important to note and think about.
Who were these people who were stoned to death? We have Stephen, the deacon, in mind. Others were sawn in two. I am not sure who these individuals were, but the list may include those who suffered after Jesus’ death and before the writing of Hebrews. They trusted God even when their persecutors decided to cut them in two. The world was not worthy of them. In other words, they felt that if being in the world meant compromising, they would rather die! It was preferable.
They are teaching us that when you trust in God that much, you see that the world is not worthy of you. Others wandered in deserts and mountains. They had no stable place to live, and they often ended up living in caves and holes in the ground.
Others went about in sheepskins and goatskins—this includes John the Baptist. Others were destitute, persecuted, and ill-treated. This was true for many of them. It happened to them, and it will still happen to us today.
Day 6
Hebrews 11
verse 39,
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
These were all commended for their faith because their trust in God allowed them to face the troubles they encountered. Yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us, so that only together with us would they be made perfect. That is something very important to understand as fellow sojourners. So, if you want to enjoy God’s blessings, it will be important to put your faith in Him, whatever issues with which you are dealing. In this way, we can be sure that it is God accomplishing things through us.
In this chapter, we can see that what we are talking about is that the last group of people had faith in resurrection! This is the kind of faith that allowed them to accept torture, imprisonment, jeers, and living in sheepskins. If that is done, they long even more for heaven. That is the result of faith: when you trust in God, you go through suffering stoically, knowing that one day in heaven, you will be able to tell the story.
Verse 40 says, "Since God had planned something better for us, so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
Faith is trusting God and loving the persecutors, regardless of how they treat us. For us today, like verse 40 suggests, we can honour God and benefit from seeing the full plan of salvation, whereas they only saw the immediate. We are in the total picture because we are living in the New Testament.
May the Lord help us to understand this well enough to remain joyful in suffering. It will be critical for us as we reflect on the full plan of salvation. May a small problem not cause us to distrust God. May we be encouraged to endure any pain because we have hope, and we believe in God. Remember, we are justified through faith. May that faith carry us through both good times and challenging times, all of them, so that we may honour God.
Day 7
Hebrews 11
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
So, the list in this chapter of these giants of faith highlights the trustworthiness of God. "By faith this, by faith that," and "by faith he did the other." Here, we also get a list of accomplishments that were only made possible through Christ, because of faith in God. Then, he concludes by showing people who even died because of their faith in God. So, it does not mean that when you trust in God, there will be no suffering; it just means that you will be able to trust in Him, irrespective of the circumstances you happen to be in.
May the Lord help us to walk with Him and trust Him for life. And having trusted Him, may we talk to others about this trust. If you do not trust, how do you face the future? How do you even face today? It becomes a very frustrating and fearful life! But when you trust in a God who takes care of you, then you can face the biggest mountain, yet still be at peace. You may be going through a hard time, but you will still feel content. You may face the biggest failure, but you know you are trusting in a God who can undo the situation.
Here, we have learned that there are people who truly believe that heaven is for real. These people trusted in God and believed that even God could raise the dead if they died. That is why Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son—his only son—despite the fact that his son was supposed to inherit everything. But Abraham said, "God has the capacity to sort things out!" even after my son dies. In every way, learn to trust Him, walk with Him, and it will have an impact on others.
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