Faithful testimonies of His grace

Hebrews 11:32-38 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. Today’s encouragement comes from these amazing testimonies of faith in the face of tremendous suffering and hardship. The author’s point was that these men and women did not shrink back when the going got tough. They endured to the end of their lives, believing God was with them and looking to Him for whatever was needed to do what He called them to do.  We know God is with us also because He has given us faith in Christ. We have so much more than all of these faithful men and women. We know that the faith of all these mentioned in chapter 11 of Hebrews was purchased through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. They received the testimony from God that they were righteous before God, but they didn’t have a clear view of what Jesus would do for them. We do have the fullness of the gospel revealed to us. Rom. 3:21-26 explains the foundation of God’s grace to them and us. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. So there you have it, clearly stated. All of us are justified in Christ through faith. He related to them in view of what He was going to do on their behalf in Christ. He relates to us on the basis of what has been done for us in Christ. We all have received life in Christ through faith. Therefore, we know we can draw near to God’s throne of grace to receive whatever we need to love with Jesus as we have been commanded. We can trust God through whatever He takes us and endure to the end for the glory of His name.  The writer of Hebrews wrote that the world is not worthy of us. But we have been given to the world just like God’s grace has been given to us, who are not worthy of it. This day is filled with more opportunities to reveal the righteousness and grace of God, which is available to all who call upon His name and abide in Him. Worthy is the Lord to receive much glory through us, as faithful testimonies of His grace.