The Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday, May 15, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday, May 15, 2022
Sunday, May 15,2022 (Fourth Sunday after Easter)
TOPIC: EXPLOITS BY FAITH
TEXT: Hebrews: 11:32-40; 12:1-2
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hebrew 12:1-2
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday, May 15, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
The roll call of the heroes of faith started in verse 1 is continued in our text today. Only six persons were listed by name (v.32), but the exploits indicated in verses 33-39 covered much of the Old Testament history. The brethren lived at different times, places and societies, and faced differing challenges. These range from personal life issues to wider social, political and military battles. But they had one thing in common - they lived and died by faith, for which they received a good divine reputation (v.39). Their focus was on more enduring and heavenly rewards than immediate material gains (vv. 39-40). Having overcome, these heroes of faith are part of the cloud of witnesses which indicate that we too can overcome our own challenges by the same faith (12:1).
The challenges that we face today may appear unique or novel, but they are actually similar to what others have faced and overcome (1 Cor. 10:13). The winning key is for us to focus on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (12:2). In this way, we join the growing assembly of those who overcame by faith.
Prayer: O Lord, help me to live every day by faith.