Loving God of grace and mercy; show Your favor on the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today: 29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
The author of Hebrews knew that we would need to read something like this! Look especially at what faith in God has allowed believers prior to our time to do: verses 33-34, "conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fires, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." A checklist like that serves as true encouragement for what we face. Apply that list to what you're facing today and how does your problem stack up to the ones "the ancients" faced? The list of names and their character or profession also asks, who can God NOT change and use for the good of God's Kingdom? Can God not use you? Can you still try and hide behind excuses of who you think you are, how unworthy you might feel, how inadequate you think your training or abilities may be? NO!
Life comes at us hard and we can face it with a stronger, tougher power, the power of faith. Faith that conquers and overcomes is at our disposal, and what are we doing about it?
PRAYER: Awesome God, show me just how I might best serve You in what You need done in my life and in the lives of those around me. I ask this, asking You help me overcome my feelings of less than worthiness so that I might be a blessing to You and others. In Christ Jesus' powerful and precious name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
