The World Was Not Worthy
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The World Was Not Worthy
The Bible is filled with accounts of God’s children who, down through the ages, refused to lose their integrity to the evils of this world. We might wince at the horrors they experienced in order to remain in the truth, but, truth be told, they are now in glory forever and ever. Was it worth it? They all give a resounding, “Yes!”
Hebrews 11 gives a short listing of some of these faithful, Old Testament, children of God, and then in verses 35-40 there is a synopsis of these heroes of faith,
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
So many have remained true to the faith, in spite of horrible deaths. Not one was willing to sacrifice his conscience for a little bit of relief. They all preferred to lose all they had, including their lives, so that they would not lose their integrity before God.
God’s promises — God’s word of authority — was their guide and trust. They knew for sure that God cannot lie. We, too, need to do God the honor of totally trusting Him for all of our needs — for the sake of the principle of truth.
After listing all their anguish of faith and approval from God, the writer of Hebrews says that they “did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” What does he mean?
The heroes of faith listed all lived before Jesus came to die for our sins. These heroes were looking for the Savior, but, all they had was a long list of promises and prophecies of what the Savior would be like. They died without getting to see the Savior. They died without the knowledge of Jesus’ actual ministry, His passion of suffering, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension to heaven.
They were willing to stand in the truth and suffer in remaining true to the truth. They are all certainly in heaven now and their salvation is complete because of Christ’s coming.
We, on the other hand, have full knowledge of how God kept all of His promises in Jesus Christ. We get to see the whole picture of promises made and kept. Because we have a record of all the promises kept, surely we should be willing to stand in the true faith, along with all those patriarchs and prophets — all those who remained faithful before the coming of the Christ.
Let us not sacrifice our conscience and lose our integrity just to get the approval of this sinful world. We all walk by faith and not by sight. God deserves to be trusted because He has proven His trustworthiness in Christ. God has promised to never leave us. He will always be near — no matter what is happening, we can depend on Him to lead us and strengthen us.
Being free in the knowledge of our Savior, we joyfully say, “Hallelujah! Lord, You do, indeed, test us — but, You are also surely holding our hand all the way. Blessed be Your love and faithfulness.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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