By Faith, They Saw God’s Great Work

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

By Faith, They Saw God’s Great Work

Date: Jul. 20, 2022

Passage

Hebrews 11:29-40 (ESV)

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 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—38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:29

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

The Israelites crossed the Red Sea as on dry land by faith (29). They also saw the great walls of Jericho fall when they obeyed God and walked around the city for a week (30). As a Gentile woman, Rahab helped the Israelite spies by faith in God. She and her family avoided perishing with the rest of the city (31).

There are many other people of faith the author could not mention by name. They were judges, kings, and prophets (32). They accomplished great things. They saw the great work of God when they kept their faith in God and obeyed his words. The victories they received in the world were answers to their prayer and assurance of God's faithfulness (33). However, ultimately, their hope was in God's kingdom and the promise of eternal life (35,38).

None of them received what was promised to them while living in the world. But they found the strength to persevere through the world's persecution by faith. God found their faith commendable (39). What God had planned for them was something that they had never imagined. It was completed through the Messiah, who carried out the salvation plan (40).

Prayer: Prayer: Father, I find my strength to overcome obstacles of the world when I come to you. Please help me to be strengthened by you today and fight a good spiritual battle.

One Word: One Word: Overcome the world by faith

David’s Victories

1 Chronicles 18:1-17

Key Verse: 18:6b,13b

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

Today's Question

For what do we pray in the third request?

See answer and references