Yesterday, we considered Hebrews 11:33-34 and the lesson that faith gives God’s people great strength. While those verses highlight the strength faith grants to fight the good fight, verses 35-37 remind us of another form of strength that may be less desired but is just as important: the strength to suffer for the Lord. Those verses read,
“…Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—”
Sometimes, God grants physical deliverance, but sometimes, He does not. Recovery from illness, deliverance from suffering, and escape from persecution are not guaranteed just because we are faithful. You may suffer for your faith—but genuine faith will give you the strength to endure until you taste God’s eternal deliverance.