Hebrews 11:32-40 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Faith brings the power of God to the aid of his obedient children. No other power on earth is as strong as the power of God to fulfill His promises to those willing to walk by faith and rest in his care. Believers are to place their faith in the God in Whom all things are possible, right? What does God’s impossible power look like in the world?
The Word reveals many things, but here’s just one example to consider. Gravity is a very powerful force on the earth, but clearly the power of Christ overpowered gravity as he walked on water. Peter—a disciple—had a word from the Lord of heaven and earth, “Come to me.” Peter was looking for assurance that Jesus was God in the flesh, so the Lord invited him to that moment of revelation to demonstrate divine power. Interestingly, Peter—who initially used his faith to move on the Word from Christ to “come” had the power to walk on water when his faith was entirely focused on Christ instead of the strong wind and waves (Mat 14:22-23). When Peter began to focus on his fear rather than the faithfulness of God to his Word, the power of his faith dwindled. As Peter became vulnerable to natural law, he cried out to the Lord, “Save me!” Jesus grabbed Peter and responded, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?” Do you ever doubt the power of God to fulfill his Word?
Faith is entirely based upon the authority of Jesus; his name and his power over all things even natural law. In our passage today, we will read more about the champions of faith: those who never surrendered their faith in the promised Word of God.
Hebrews 11:32-40 More Faith Champions
32 And what more could I say to convince you? For there is not enough time to tell you of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 Through faith’s power they conquered kingdoms and established true justice. Their faith fastened onto their promises and pulled them into reality! It was faith that shut the mouth of lions, 34 put out the power of raging fire, and caused many to escape certain death by the sword. In their weakness their faith imparted power to make them strong![a] Faith sparked courage within them and they became mighty warriors in battle, pulling armies from another realm into battle array.[b] 35 Faith-filled women saw their dead children raised in resurrection power.
Yet it was faith that enabled others to endure great atrocities. They were stretched out on the wheel and tortured,[c] and didn’t deny their faith in order to be freed, because they longed for a more honorable and glorious resurrection!
36 Others were mocked and experienced the most severe beating with whips; they were in chains and imprisoned. 37 Some of these faith champions were brutally killed by stoning, being sawn in two or slaughtered by the sword. These lived in faith as they went about wearing goatskins and sheepskins for clothing. They lost everything they possessed, they endured great afflictions, and they were cruelly mistreated. 38 They wandered the earth living in the desert wilderness, in caves, on barren mountains and in holes in the earth. Truly, the world was not even worthy of them, not realizing who they were.
39 These were the true heroes, commended for their faith, yet they lived in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised them. 40 But now God has invited us to live in something better than what they had—faith’s fullness! This is so that they could be brought to finished perfection alongside of us.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the continual encouragement your Word is to my faith. I need these examples and I need to spend time pondering how they relate to my life. I can see the potential of my faith in action as I stay focused. Please help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.