Hebrew 11:35-39. ESV
35 :Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36 :Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 :They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated
38 :of whom the world was not worthywandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 :And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
Apostle Paul when he was addressing the Corinthian Christians in one of his epistles to them, he narrated his story of exploits for Christ as a result he was afflicted by satan and he begged God three times to have mercy and deliver him from his bodily infirmities and God replied him by assuring him that \”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” and he was glad to have pass through such challenges for Christ sake.
\”So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me\”. (2Corinthians 11 :7-9) NIV.
We all go through the valleys and wilderness experiences of life. There are times of Difficulty, Disappointments, Anxiety, Stress , Sorrows and Sufferings with chronic ill-health. We experiences financial hiccups and other challenges in life due to our faith or Fate
Have you been terribly abused and battered by the vissititude of life and you think your own is finished and you think the best way to end it all is by giving up on God or by giving up on your self and you want to end it fast by ending your life? No Nah!!, There is a shining bright light at the end of your dark tunnels.
Our text in Hebrew 11 gave testimonial score card of what people went through in pursuit of a better life and do not blink over their situation nor loose hope because they knew whose they are. Their faith did not shake even though some at the end did not received as hoped for like Hebrew 11:39 put it thus
\”And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised\”
In situations like this I\’m sure one must have asked …… and where is God in all these? And what do we do with faith because as a Christian we have been taught of Faith
Hebrew 11:1-3 1 \”Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
2 This is what the ancients were commended for
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible\”
There is God the creator of the universe who through His command things that are not seen with our visible eyes were made visible by faith. The bible says we call forth those things which are not as though they were. In the face of such challenges I know it may sound some how for one to still stand firm yes if you know the God you worship you will be strong and do exploit. That is why He sent His son Jesus Christ to come and experience what it looks like to stay in the world of sin.
Remember Jesus Christ came in the form of man, He too passed through what we passed through therefore He was acquainted with grief, He was called a man of Sorrow . At a point He had no where to lay his head yet righteousness was ascribed unto Him WHY? Because He kept Faith with His Father Who Sent Him. Remember He once cried \”My Father My Father Why Have thou forsaken me ?
He knows what you are going through, Before He left the world He promised to live the Comforter with us behind. He has not relented in making a way for us Trust Him and never put your eyes off Him.
He told Apostle Paul during his time of chronic bodily infirmities that \”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me\”. He is telling you the same to put off your eyes on that which has bothered you so much that is making you to be despondence
Has the last few Months that just gone made you cry or fear? Don\’t worry as The Month of August is rolling by at the end of Today believe it your pains and Sorrows are rolled out. The \’EMBER\’ MONTHS are here again. The months of fulfilment, months of Turnaround, Months of Last minutes Miracles and months of Recovery.
Begin to call forth what ever you want to see happen to you to begin to come forth. Do not look at your weakness for His power is made perfect in your weakness. Do not look at your lack for He will provide all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Do not mind what you are going through now for He has given the Angels charge over you to carry you up least you hit your leg against the stone, only call upon Him for He will answer you and show you the hidden treasures that you do not know.
Enjoy the best of Ember Months.
Remain Blessed . Shalom 🙏
✍️ Mrs Blessing I N Onugha ❤️