A community of believers in the first century are wondering if they should return to Judaism because Christianity was just too tough and some have done this. They receive this letter to say ‘don’t do it’ and one of the main reasons is because of those who went before them.
It is an encouragement to us all today.
“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.” (Hebrews 11 v 39-40)
- None of them arrived. 1
- They all saw God’s power in their lives in some way. 2
- They lived aware of something better. 3
- They persevered without personally experiencing what we have. 4
- They died carrying the promise of God. 5
So how much more should we trust in God?
My prayer is this using the numbers to connect.
- Acknowledging what I have in Christ is what ‘they’ longed for I also realise I choose not to settle and in that sense I have not arrived either. I know I have an eternal home.
- In my situation I also long to see more of the power of God.
- I choose to be an optimist knowing I have hope for the future.
- I have so much more than ‘them’ and so I have no reason to give up now.
- I want to live in such a way that when I die I am still carrying vision for God.
Missions Paul 