All Commended

 

"These were all commended for their faith ..." (Hebrews 11:39).

Not just one here or there of the 'better' ones but all were commended.  No matter how big or small, or degrees of being known, our heavenly Father saw it all and commended them but for what?  For their faith ...

That's the key, isn't it!  'Faith'.  All of the ones listed in this chapter 11 of Hebrews had faith to trust in God that He would indeed do as promised.  Yet so many of them did not see much, if any, of them fulfilled or fully fulfilled in their life time.

In the focus verses, some of the lesser known Bible characters are named, and many left unnamed.  Yet it was their faith they were all commended for.  It sort of tears my heart to read the last part of verse 39, which reads, 

" ... yet none of them received what had been promised ..."

How unfair it seems to us.  Hopes dashed?  How could God do this to them!  But we don't read of those folks complaining or losing their faith!  They must have held on to the end, otherwise I believe they would not have been commended for their faith.  

This tells me they must have clung tightly to their faith and trust in God and what He promised them.  They held it closely to their chest because they knew God.

Verse 40 gives God's perspective and mends the torn heart.  We see

"God had planned something better ..."

Together, us and them, 

"would be made complete."

We don't always see God's plan and purpose in complete ways but to be sure, He does keep His promises.  This reminds me of what my Mom would sometimes say to us kids,

"Fools and bairns see unfinished work"

Similarly we need to be patient with God and wait to see what He is doing.

All those people of faith didn't sit on their laurels while waiting for God to keep His promises.  There were actions that showed their faith.  Read the portion and check it out.

Simple things we do as followers of Jesus will shew our faith too.  God knows what's in our heart.  People will know by the works of our hands, even if we don't broadcast it.  The people who have benefited from our quiet actions will know and God will know.  All our pure actions of faith given in Jesus' name will all be commended by our Heavenly Father who sees and knows.  It will look like a wonderful display of colorful fruit and vegetables overflowing from a cornucopia, pleasant to the eyes and wholesome to the body.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your promises to us, Your children.  We hope and trust in You.  Help us to have the faith like those we read about in Hebrews 11 - strong to the end.  Also strong to do the good deeds You prepared for us to do.  How great Thou art!  Come Lord Jesus.  In Jesus name we ask, Amen.

                                                ~ERC  February 2025  ~

Based on Hebrews 11:32-40 especially vs 39 NIV and Our Daily Bread 2023 - Sept/Oct/Nov - 19 Sept - by Leslie Koh.

Sing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, along with Lydia Walker.