One day a pastor stepped onto the pulpit and started tearing pages from the Bible. The congregation was extremely upset and really lay into him. They were very angry and accused him of having no respect for the Word of God.

He wanted to demonstrate to the congregation how they actually read the Bible. They liked reading the good parts. They read the good parts and avoided the difficult, challenging parts.

He had a point.

It was good to hear all the wonderful stories of victories because people believed. These are the heroes from our childhood. Our parents had to read us the stories of Samson, David, the men in the oven, and others, again and again. It was wonderful to hear what they achieved by faith, and we wanted to hear it again and again.

But the next part is not about those wonderful stories of faith. It’s about the more challenging stories. The stories that took a lot. These stories are the opposite of a feelgood movie:

³⁵Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. ³⁶Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. ³⁷We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless ³⁸—the world didn’t deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world. ³⁹Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised.

Worst of all is that it can still happen today. We often hear of Christians being beheaded or killed by a firing squad.

These people didn’t give up. They didn’t give up what they believed in, in exchange for their lives. Their faith was so strong that they were prepared to die for it.

I wonder how strong my faith is. I wonder if the foundation of my faith is strong enough to hold up my house when earthquakes threaten to destroy it. I wonder if your faith will be strong enough?

I hope so. I believe so. May we never be put to the test, but if it does happen, may we bow our heads, close our eyes, and look forward to soon enjoy a better life with God.

Scripture
Hebrews 11:32-38

Reflection
How far will you go by faith?
How long will you withstand torture for your faith?
Will you bow your head and look forward to heaven?

Prayer
Father, I’m afraid my faith is too modest. I’m afraid I will be weighed and found wanting. I’m embarrassed about this. But rather than apologise, I want to work on it. Please help me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.