Faith in Success and Suffering
        
FAITH IN SUCCESS
          Two paths – the path of success and the path of suffering. I think if given an option, there is absolutely no doubt which of these we (each and every one) would choose time and time again. And it is undoubtedly true, but nevertheless tragic, that many find themselves on the road of suffering due to their poor choices in life. But the author of Hebrews in our chapter (eleven) has some equally, pleasantly surprising news for the two groups traveling down both paths. Let us take a brief look first at the examples of Christians who through faith in God accomplished extraordinary exploits (i.e. they were successful):
          How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. (Hebrews 11:32-35)
          While the world without Christ relies solely upon their own strength, intellect, and willpower for success, those of us who place our faith in Christ have at our disposal the creative, powerful, all-knowing Holy Spirit of God. I don’t know about you, but if I had a choice between my own arsenal of personal skills, intellect, strength, and talent and those of God, I would consider the selection a definite “no-brainer.” 
          Through faith, these individuals from the Old Testament ruled with justice and won wars and escaped death and turned weaknesses into strength and shut the mouths of lions and even “received their loved ones back again from death.” Wow! I’d say this “faith thing” is quite the adventure! I cannot for the life of me understand how people could possibly imagine the Christian life (the GodLife) to be boring or dull or tedious or uninteresting when these types of exploits are the results of a life of faith.  This “faith thing” will definitely add zest to your life!
          So let me proceed directly to “go,” i.e. the end result. True “success” in the Kingdom of God means that we fulfill our God-given calling/destiny/purpose in life by faith.  Remember, we cannot please God without faith. Also remember, anything “good” we say or do throughout our lives is not “counted” by God unless it is done by faith, that is, out of love for God with the intent of bringing glory to God and advancing His Kingdom.
          We will only go as far as our faith takes us. But actually that may be considered the pessimistic side of it. Perhaps it would inspire us more to proclaim, “Through faith, the sky is the limit!” Through faith in God we can accomplish marvelous things far beyond our own capabilities.
 
 
FAITH IN SUFFERING
           Now let’s take a brief look at those Christians who exhibited an equal amount of faith but on a different path, the road of suffering.
          But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,[d] and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:35-38, NLT)
          Within the framework of a chapter which predominantly emphasizes extraordinary feats of faith or acts of obedience by faith or blessed lives through faith, we have in contrast those listed as examples of faith because they were tortured, persecuted, mocked, imprisoned, stoned or otherwise killed, found destitute, mistreated, and so forth.
          I love verse 38, “They were too good for this world.” The world did not appreciate their Christ-likeness or faith in God. Yet they persevered and sustained their faith in God and His promises even though they walked the path of suffering most of their lives, no matter what trials assailed them.
          It seems to me that most of us in our day and time fail to appreciate the faith of those who continue to trust in God and His promises despite health problems, loss of loved ones, mistreatment, destitute conditions, oppression, abuse, trials, financial loss, mental and emotional disorders, abandonment, and so forth. Perhaps…just perhaps…these are greater examples of faith than the first group who did fantastic feats of faith. Just something to think about.