They Put Out Great Fires
What
more can I say? I don't have time to tell about all the others. I don't have
time to talk about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah.
I don't have time to tell about David, Samuel and the prophets. Because of
their faith they took over kingdoms. They ruled fairly. They received the
blessings God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions. They put out great
fires. They escaped being killed by the sword. Their weakness was turned to
strength. They became powerful in battle. They beat back armies from other
countries.
Women
received their dead back. The dead were raised to life again. Others were made
to suffer greatly. But they refused to be set free. They did that so that after
death they would be raised to a better life.
Some
were laughed at. Some were whipped. Still others were held by chains. They were
put in prison. Some were killed with stones. They were sawed in two. They were
put to death by the sword. They went around wearing the skins of sheep and goats. They were poor. They were attacked. They
were treated badly. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts
and mountains. They lived in caves. They lived in holes in the ground.
All
of those people were praised because they had faith. But none of them received
what God had promised. God had planned something better for us. So they would
only be made perfect together with us.
Hebrews 11:32-40
Pilgrims
from near and far, recent and ancient, all cross our lives at some point.
People who have gone on before us, especially those who have helped bring us to
Christ, are the ones who should have our utmost respect. It was their help
which encouraged us to walk with Jesus Christ.
People who follow Christ lead others in the right direction.
Our Daily Bread –