Daily Devotional Hebrews 11:32–40
One of the lyrics in the first stanza of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” asks, “What more can He say than to you He hath said, who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?” It is a question drawn from verse 32 of today’s reading. There are so many biblical examples of those who were victorious through faith that the author does not have the time or the space to mention them all.
God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
HEBREWS 11:40
The names listed in verse 32 would have been familiar to the original recipients of this letter. Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah won victories against overwhelming odds. In addition to being used by God to deliver His people during periods of oppression, they all share another trait in common. By themselves, they all would have been unlikely candidates for Faith’s Hall of Fame. Gideon and Barak were reluctant heroes who asked for reassurance (Judg. 4:8–9; 6:12–15). The Holy Spirit gave Samson great physical strength, but he was a person of weak personal character and impatient disposition (Judg. 14:1–3; 15:1–7).
Jephthah was the son of a prostitute and an impulsive person (Judg. 11:1, 30–35). David was over- looked by his father when Samuel came to anoint Saul’s successor (1 Sam. 16:11). Samuel was just a boy who needed to learn to recognize God’s voice when God called him (1 Sam. 3:1–7). If these examples were not enough, the writer mentions a host of unnamed heroes who went through great suffering despite their faith (vv. 35–37). Why? Because “the world was not worthy of them” (v. 38). Although God helped them to exercise a powerful faith, none received the promise because they were part of a bigger story. Their story is also our story (v. 40).
Go Deeper
Take some time to look up one or two of the people mentioned in this chapter and read their full biblical account. How does their faith story inspire your own? What can you learn from these examples?
Pray with Us:
Dear God, Hebrews 11 reminds us again and again that You have something more and better for us, beyond what we can see. May these powerful stories of those who went before us teach us persistence of faith and vision.