June 8th, 2023
Through faith people such as these Joshua and David subdued nations. Joshua, conquering Palestine (Joshua 12:7-24). David, conquering neighboring nations (2 Samuel 5:4-25) (8:1-14). David worked righteousness (administered justice) as king (2 Sam 8:15….So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. Solomon, as king, did the same (1 Kings 3:28….And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. Others obtained promises such as the nation of Israel, receiving the promised land (Joshua 21:43-45). Here Joshua reminds Israel God is faithful (23:14). Even others stopped the mouth of lions, such as Samson (Judges 14:6)…..And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his mother or father what he had done. David also while protecting the sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Then there is Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:21-22).That is not all, others quenched the violence of fire such as Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego – in the fiery furnace as we read in (Daniel 3:23-25). We read of those who escaped the edge of the sword such as David fleeing King Saul (1 Samuel 23:19-29), or Elijah fleeing from Jezebel in (1 Kings 19:8-10). Even Elisha, who the King of Israel wanted murdered (2 Kings 6:31-32). Some out of weakness became strong such as Samson, who after his hair was cut became strong again (Judges 16:29-30)….And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he killed in his life.
Just think of how faithful the saints were before us. Just think of what examples they were for us to follow. Some even became valiant in battle and turned to flight the armies of aliens. David did this by defeating Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50). Jehoshaphat did this in defeating Edom (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).
But they were not perfect. Gideon sinned by making an idol (Judges 8:22-27). Barak did not have enough faith to go into battle without the presence of Deborah (Judges 4:6-9). Samson had a weakness for women (Judges 16:1). Jephthah made a rash vow to God (Judges 11:30-31). David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered to cover up his sin. And yet look at what does with broken vessels. We are sinners that God uses to conquer wickedness – strongholds of the evil one (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). We can obtain promises (we have already obtained all the promises we need)(Ephesians 1:3-14). We can shut the mouth of a lion, (1 Peter 5:8-9)….Be sober, be vigilant; because your advisary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by you brotherhood in the world. We can quench the power of fire that burns in hell as we give the gospel to people headed for the flames (Jude 23)….but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment efiled by the flesh. We too can turn armies to flight (James 4:7)….Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
If (Hebrews 11) was still being written, what would be said of you? Be brave and stand strong in the faith today as an example for others to follow, because many were strong and faithful so that you could come by faith to Christ.