스크랩 [리빙 라이프]Power and Persecution

[미네랄]

2010.Jul. 26 Mon

Power and Persecution [ Hebrews 11:32 - 11:40 ]

The Power of Faith
32. And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, 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. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

The Suffering of Faith
36. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
37. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death 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, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
40. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Reflection		The Power of Faith (11:32-35) In this passage, we see another aspect of faith, the aspect of power. Faith in God gives people access to the power and strength of God. When the people mentioned in these verses put their trust in the Lord and, shunning their own strength, worked out of God’s, they were able to accomplish great things. The author of Hebrews writes this chapter as a historical record and as a model to follow. In effect, he is saying, “Great things happened before, and they can happen again, if you only have faith.” Because this chapter is not only demonstrative but also prescriptive, it tells us what the norm ought to be for all Christians. Faith in God ought to lead to powerful accomplishments in life. The accomplishments may not look like the ones mentioned here, but God is a great God who does great things. Great deeds should be commonplace for Christians. The Suffering of Faith (11:36-40) The conclusion to the great chapter of faith takes on a somber tone. Faith not only leads to great accomplishments, but it also leads to persecution and suffering. When the people of God do God’s work through faith, the world inevitably takes notice and usually takes offense because the works of God’s kingdom are offensive to the world. This was true for every prophet, including the greatest prophet Jesus Christ. If our faith is exhibited in clear and powerful ways, persecution is the natural result. The different aspects of faith we have explored over the past few days are not isolated from each other but are all connected and interdependent. The only thing that enabled these people to persevere to the end was the future hope they had in Christ. They lived by faith, not by sight, and we are included in God’s promise to them (vv. 39-40).
Application		- When did God do something super-human, something only He could accomplish, in your life? Take time to meditate on that instance and thank Him for it. If you cannot think of one, pray for more faith and the courage to live it out. - If we are living a life of faith, we ought to be experiencing some opposition from the world or the enemy. Be prepared for persecution and spiritual attacks, and rejoice when they come.
A Letter to God		Sovereign Lord, I believe in Your power to work in and through me. Give me more faith and the courage to live by it, no matter what the risk or the cost. When persecution and suffering come, may my faith see me through it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.