Today’s Devotion
Topic: A Bit More To Do
(Self Assessment)
Background: Christianity has not been much challenged as we have come to know. This may be someone’s assertion as they see evil trying so hard to clam down our faith in this generation, just to make the love of the few faithfuls, go cold.
However, this has been true with every generation throughout the history of the church. Actually, ever since the Lord chose Israel to be His people. One scheme of darkness or another, kingdom or nation, challenge or disaster, try to destroy the faith of those who trust in the Lord.
Hebrews 11 lists a number of these greats, with the great oppositions they faced, and how the overcame, just to inspire our faiths in this generation. Let us delve deeper into today’s word to learn from some of them, as we compare with our good fights of faith- if we are doing well. Gather the family together, it’s time to study the Word of God.
Text: Hebrews 11: 32- 40
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; 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. Amen
Questions
- What is faith and what does it mean to have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ?
- Kindly read verses 32 to 34 again.
a) What can you say about how the patriarchs proved their faith to change their generation?
b) Do you think in the same manner, Christians of our day are doing enough to push the cause of Christ in our generation too?
- As we read verse 35- 37 again, kindly:
a) list some of the challenges they went through, yet they did not waver in steadfastness.
b) list some of the challenges and persecutions we are going through too.
c) explain if you think we are doing well to stand as Ephesians 6: 13 states,? If not, what factors do you think account for that?
- According verse 38, “THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF THEM.” What can this mean and of what import should that understanding be for us in our current generation?
- Verses 39- 40 mentions that these Patriarchs did awesome through faith to prove God in their generation, yet received not the promise because it was reserved for us. (This promise is the salvation that comes through faith in Jesus, the son of God and God’s gift of the Holy Spirit poured on all flesh in our time). Do you think due to this, we are expected to do more or even better?
- What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
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