FAITH COMMENDED. Hebrews 11:32 This summary of people of faith confirms that the life of a believer is a struggle. Some were victorious by faith in warfare, trusting God alone to defeat the foe. Some suffered and died by faith, yet never compromised what they knew was God's will and rested their souls in Him even as their bodies endured great pain. Faith does not always seem to triumph in this lifetime. To suffer without evidence of victory and still believe God is real is true faith. "Our times are in Thy hand" has often been the word from the Lord to give inner peace to suffering saints when all seems dark around us.
This list is a small sampling of men and women of faith who represent all those who overcome life’s obstacles through faith in God. The writer of Hebrews uses the masculine verb “to tell,” indicating the writer was a man. He summarizes, in this list of notable people in Israel’s history, the power and exploits of faith.
Some of those listed were victorious by faith, while others suffered what we would consider defeat and died without their faith being vindicated. Faith doesn’t always appear to overcome all obstacles and opposition. When the results of an action done by faith seem to fail, and disaster still comes, and our actions are not vindicated, it takes greater faith to continue believing that “all things work together for good to those who love God, for those who walk according to His purpose.”
The Spirit of God does not speak of the failures of those people in this letter because its purpose is to get faltering believers to “Look off unto Jesus.” He was successful in His work in every way, even though He was despised, rejected, falsely accused, condemned, and crucified. That would appear to be a defeat to the natural man. But the readers are reminded that the story of Jesus as a man among men does not end there. He has been raised from among the dead, ascended into heaven, and is there as our Great High Priest at the right hand of God.
The first ones listed are a group of well-known warriors who were submissive to the word of God in times of spiritual darkness, moral decay, and overpowering bondage. Then, beginning with Samuel, the last of the judges and the first of the prophets, the history of faith unfolds as those people laid hold of God’s promises, obeyed God’s voice, overcame the world, and suffered and died without wavering faith in the Lord.
Large numbers of people gathered for a common purpose, but that does not mean faith predominated there. Gideon sent home those who were timid, those who wanted comfort, and those who thought only of themselves, even while drinking water. His faith was in God to do what was impossible for natural man. Barak knew his own weakness and his need for Deborah's maturity. In fear and awareness of his inability, he still exercised faith in the Lord. He learned the principle we have learned if we are honest about ourselves. "My grace is sufficient for thee, and My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Samson's moral weakness would have kept him off a list of people of faith, but on the occasions when there was nowhere else to turn, he must have remembered the power of God available to him as a Nazarite and put his faith in God to provide the strength to overcome. Jephthah was in a low social position and would have been overlooked by men as a deliverer. However, the Lord chose him as one who would not claim the victory as his own making, for in fear and faith, he went forth to victory. The faith of David was demonstrated in many events in his life, as well as in the words of praise and prayer he wrote. Samuel had been a judge who looked on the "outward appearance" at first, but later in life, as the last judge, he became a prophet, looking ahead by faith to the future God promised. The prophets were men of faith who endured struggles in life, going from bad to worse as they followed the call of God, yet they did not remain silent despite opposition.
Being steadfast in faith does not mean we will have a carefree life free of obstacles or persecution. Faith invites abuse and resentment because it goes against popular thought and action. Mockery and scorn come from those who believe only what they can see or rationalize. Pain, fear, and even death are often when vital faith is best experienced and demonstrated. Real faith endures and continues without seeing the fulfillment of the promises that vitalize it. Many who lived by faith will not see the results of that faith until after they have passed on to glory.
Under and behind all of these recorded people and the events that took place in their lives are the principles of faith in God. What God did through them was because they trusted Him. He gave them the spirit of faith when they believed in Him. Faith is divine life springing out from within us as we grasp the substance of the things we hope for and claim the proof of the things we do not see.