Hebrews 11 (5)

Introduction
The writer invites his first readers to consider the faith and sufferings of those saints – those “excellent ones” (Ps. 16.3) – who have gone before. As he will remind his readers in chapter 12, they haven’t experienced anything like this. Their forebears in the faith did not draw back in the face of suffering but held fast their confession. So should we, for who knows what great things God might do in and through us if only we keep our eyes on Him and our feet in the path of obedience?

Read Psalm 16.1-11.

Read Hebrews 11.30-37.

Think it through.
1.  The focus of verses 30-35 is on what the saints of old were able to accomplish by their faith. How would you describe the relationship between faith and obedience, as this is suggested by the examples given here? How does faith work to engender obedience? How does obedience validate faith? Can we say that we have faith if we have no obedience, or if we’re always drawing back from Christ in the face of threats? Explain. What might we expect God to do through us as we persevere in faith?

2.  In verses 36 and 37 the writer emphasizes how faith enabled the saints of old to endure hardship. How does faith work to help a believer endure such hardships as these? How through faith can we prepare for such trials? How by faith are we enabled to perseverethrough such trials? How might we expect God to sustain us in trials as we persevere in faith?

Meditate.
“Here is the narrow and close way that leads to life. Here are the teachers and prophets, ‘wandering in deserts, mountains, caves and holes in the earth.’ Here are the apostles and evangelists … living as citizens of the desert.” Basil the Great (330-379 AD)

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously… 1 Peter 2.21-23

Lord, I cannot know what trials of faith I might encounter today. Help me to prepare for them by…

Pray Psalm 91.1-3, 14-16.
What does it mean to “abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” not only first thing in the day, but throughout the day? Wait in silence for the Lord to show you, then give Him thanks and praise as you prepare for this day’s trials. 

Psalm 91.1-3, 14-16 (Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
All who dwell within God’s shelter in His shadow will reside. 
He our Tow’r, our Fortress ever, in Him we our trust confide. 
From the trapper’s snares He saves us; safe from sickness we abide. 

Save us, Lord! We love You only; set us up secure on high!
You we know, on You we call in trouble: Hear us when we cry!
Show us Your salvation, let long life forever satisfy!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.