Many Stories of Faith

And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouth of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead-they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, and others experienced mocking a and scourgings as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us. Hebrews 11:32-40

Now, can you see yourself there? Feeling rejected, cast aside? You are not alone! A great host of witnesses have gone before you and are waiting for you.

The Christian life is not a bed of roses, yes it can be tough at times but He promises to be there with us, strengthening and empowering us. Romans 8 tells us that: 'all things work together for our good.' This is both good and bad, God uses all to form our character.

I love the passage: 'gained strength after becoming weak.' Are you there? I have been there. Just when you are all rung out the Spirit lifts you, fills you and empowers you.

On Friday night I knew I had been lifted up and I lay aside my walking stick and walked without it, I still am and the pain has gone. Now I experience soreness but it is very different from what was there. Praise God. Being crushed and made weak just requires a visit from the Master. Amen!