February 24
Scripture of the day: "And others were tortured, not accepting their release, so 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." Hebrews 11:35-38
Thought of the day: Hebrews 11 is not the all-star list of human success. It is the all-star list of faith. The believers of verses 35-38 were not human success stories. They were tortured, mocked, scourged, chained, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, tempted, executed, deprived, destitute, afflicted, ill treated, and homeless. However, God described them as "men of whom the world was not worthy".
Challenge of the day: Some Christians believe that if they have enough faith that they will be healthy, wealthy, and without suffering. When they get to Heaven, what will they say to the people mentioned in these verses? And will they tell God that He was wrong in describing them as "men of whom the world was not worthy"? Too often we measure our spiritual victory (and that of others) in terms of human success. That is wrong. Faith is not only the means to victory ... faith is the victory, 1 John 5:4. How would God describe you and me? Are we living all-star faith?
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