Two clear hallmarks of the Scriptures are their honesty and balance. Hebrews 11:33-38 is a great example of these two timeless traits of inspiration.
Those heroic people in history who took the epic challenge of living by faith had notable blessings for their obedient trust in God. They were people “who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again” (Hebrews 11:33-35).
On the other side of that coin, those who lived by faith also suffered grievously for their commitment to God: “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:35-38).
Living by faith results in life’s greatest blessings; it also has life’s toughest trials.
Hebrews 11:33-38 is an honest and balanced presentation of faith.
