Hebrews 11:35-40 Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated — the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

2 Timothy 2:1;8-13 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

God's people have always been people of faith. From the beginning, people of faith endured hardships and troubles. All the patriarchs experienced trials in their lives. Nevertheless, rather that looking at their circumstances, they chose to believe God was in control of their lives and would bless them. At times God revealed his hand of miracles to people in the Old Testament, and we recount these stories and teach them in Sunday School. But other believers lived their whole lives by faith, awaiting the promised blessings. They lived in misery and wretchedness. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated. We tend not to tell their stories because we think they do not uplift our spirits or they might be inappropriate for little children. But we are not children. Our faith should go far beyond our feelings or circumstances because faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV) Faith in God is more than a strong Protestant work ethic, more than a try harder attitude. By faith we know GOD IS, and He rewards those who seek him. Beginning with our salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God blesses all his children and will never disown those He adopted into his family.

As they sacrificed animals every year for their sins, the ancients looked forward to the ultimate deliverance by Messiah, Jesus Christ. In obedience, they brought their sacrifices; however, the blood of bulls and goats could never take away their sins. Only Jesus Christ's sacrifice could deliver them from the bondage of sin. Yet even those who died under the Law received the full forgiveness of their sins because of Christ's work of the cross when He set them free. Now we who live by faith today receive the same gift of eternal life because of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. Faith in Christ Jesus establishes the grace and mercy of God in our hearts. We are no longer strangers to God, but we are his sons and daughters, "born again" in his image, and forever pleasing to Father God.

Knowing who we are in Christ, how then should we live? Paul says, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1) We fight the good fight of faith; we finish the race, believing God is in control. Some of the ancients faced jeers and flogging, others were chained and put in prison, others were stoned, sawed in two, put to death by the sword. Hebrews 11 commends these people for their faith, their endurance to the end. Living for God is not always easy; every generation faces hardships and difficulties. Our own sins and the sins of others dishearten us or make us want to give up. At times we feel like failures, too weak to live a life of faith for Christ. But as we have seen, faith overcomes the world, the flesh, and the devil. Paul told the Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God and having done all to stand by faith. We read in Hebrews 12, In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. You are alive and reading this breakfast; therefore, resist the devil, and he will flee. Sing songs of praise to the Lord, read his Word, and live for him by helping others. Let the Holy Spirit anoint your head with the oil of gladness, so you might serve others and not yourself. Right now, live IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. He pleases the Father; therefore, you please him too. YOUR HOPE LIES IN CHRIST JESUS. Whether you succeed or fail, BY FAITH IN GOD'S GRACE, YOU ARE SAVED AND FREE TO SERVE HIM.