David Bahn – Reflections

Hebrews 11:32-40

And what more shall 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, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 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 worthy—wandering 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, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

The list of heros of faith in these verses includes some great success stories. Conquering kingdoms, obtaining promises, stopping the mouths of lions, quenching the power of fire and escaping the edge of the sword: those are high moments in peoples’ lives. Most of us would be satisfied to experience any one of those victories. But of them we learn that “all these…did not receive what was promised.” There was yet to be more to the victory of their faith than even these hero-moments of great victory.

When it comes to enduring chains and imprisonment, being mocked and flogged, stoned, killed by the sword, while we stand in awe of their faith. But it is clear that they were looking forward to something more; they did not receive what was promised. So why are both kinds of heros listed in the same paragraph? What message is there for us that neither group received what was promised?

The answer lies in this truth: They did not live for themselves alone. They were a part of a greater and even more wonderful story. God had something in store for people down through the ages that they were to be part of. You and I were to be part of their story! This is the story of God’s covenant love for all people, culminating in Jesus’ atonement and victory. It is the story also of God’s kingdom’s goal: that more and more people – down through the ages – would recognize Jesus as King.

We too often and too easily settle for too little. We’re happy with the fleeting glory of worldly success. And even as we give God the glory, we fail to look far enough across the horizon of God’s kingdom to embrace a greater blessing that he has in store. We are part of a greater and better story than simply that of our own success. We are a part of the story of God and his redemption, love, salvation, and the ultimate establishment of his kingdom. He will reign in the hearts of many and we are part of that story.