Hebrews 11:29-40
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. i
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; y they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. [1]
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What struck me this morning was the phrase “God had planned something better for us.” The writer said this in regard to the fact that none of those listed in this chapter received in full what they had been promised. But God has planned something better for them – to be made perfect along with us.
Now, this was stated specifically in regard to persecution. But I think it safe to apply to all the hardship and frustration that we experience in this fallen world. The point is that when it appears that God is allowing the brokenness and evil to have its way, and carry out its will, and that we have not received what has been promised, remember this: God has something better planned.
Paul touched on this in Romans 8:18. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” God has something better planned for us that will make the brokenness of this life fade away.
But this is not to say that this life doesn’t matter. What is commended in this chapter is steadfast faith, despite the delay in receiving what is promised. God is at work, for our good, and for all eternity.
My prayer today is for faith, especially in times of trouble. I pray for myself but also for those going through troubles right now, that the Spirit would lift their eyes to this truth, that God is at work and planning something better for us all.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Heb 11:29–40). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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