The Life of Faith: Power and Endurance

Faith, as we learned from Ben, is confidence in the unseen God for salvation in Christ and all its benefits. Last week, we explored growing in faith, which is the application of saving faith. If we are saved by believing that God exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him, we grow by learning more about who God is and His promises of reward. Today, we conclude our study of the faith chapter in Hebrews by examining what a life of faith looks like day by day, offering encouragement, especially to those who are struggling.

Heroes of Faith: Supernatural Power

We pick up in Hebrews 11:32, reflecting on the heroes of faith. The passage lists figures like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith accomplished extraordinary feats:

“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—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received back their dead by resurrection.” (Hebrews 11:32-35)

These stories are vivid. Samson, almost a biblical superhero, carried city gates uphill for miles. Daniel defied the king’s decree, prayed, and survived the lions’ den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerged unscathed from the fiery furnace. The life of faith is a life of supernatural power, where God works beyond the natural realm. This power is not confined to the past—it manifests today in healings, miraculous provision, and courage to share the gospel in dangerous places. God can even raise the dead, restore broken marriages, or revive seemingly impossible dreams. The life of faith trusts in God’s goodness and power to do beyond what we can imagine.

We don’t believe in miracles for their own sake but because God equips us with His Holy Spirit to join His mission of bringing the gospel to every nation. As we step out, God’s power shows up in ways that surpass our own strength, enabling lives to be transformed through the gospel.

The Other Side of Faith: Endurance in Suffering

Yet, Hebrews doesn’t stop with triumphs. The passage continues:

“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—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11:35-38)

This likely refers to events like those in 2 Maccabees, where Jewish believers under Greek persecution faced torture and death rather than abandon their faith. One story recounts seven brothers and their mother, who endured horrific tortures, declaring, “The King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life.” The life of faith includes not only miraculous deliverance but also the miracle of endurance when deliverance doesn’t come. These believers trusted that death does not have the final word.

The life of faith is both power and suffering, reflecting the life of Jesus Christ—a life of miracles and healing, yet also one of sorrows and grief. As Christians, we are called to become more Christlike, embodying both His power and His suffering. Hebrews emphasizes that those who endured suffering for their faith—those “of whom the world was not worthy”—are the greatest exemplars of faith. Their trust in God’s unseen kingdom outweighed their earthly comforts.

Faith for Flawed People

You might wonder, “How can I live this life of faith? I’m struggling to believe or share the gospel with friends.” The beauty of Hebrews 11 is that it’s filled with imperfect people:

• Noah was a drunkard.
• Abraham lied about his wife, twice.
• Sarah laughed at God’s promise.
• Isaac played favorites.
• Jacob was a deceiver.
• Moses was a coward and prone to anger.
• Rahab was a prostitute.
• Gideon was an idolater, Barak a coward, Samson a womanizer, Jephthah made rash vows, and David committed adultery and murder.

Yet, when the moment of testing came, these flawed individuals stepped out with a mustard seed of faith, and God moved. If you feel like a coward, idolater, or failure, know that God uses people like you. A small act of faith—sharing the gospel at work, joining a ministry, or stepping out in boldness—can move mountains. On judgment day, God will celebrate those moments of faith, not our failures, listing our names alongside these heroes in His book of life.

Called to Step Out in Faith

The life of faith calls us to know God more, grow in His promises, and step out boldly. This might mean joining a care group, serving in a ministry, sharing Jesus with a friend, or even pursuing missions. Our missionaries, like Jennifer Oelman and the Mitches, have given up comforts to serve in hard places, often at great personal risk. Hebrews reminds us that these sacrifices are worth it, for “God has provided something better for us” (Hebrews 11:40). The Old Testament saints saw God’s promises dimly, but we, with the full revelation of Jesus Christ, have even greater reason to live boldly.

“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)

Conclusion

The life of faith is one of supernatural power and enduring suffering, trusting in God’s promises. It’s not about “manning up” for hardship’s sake but acting in our eternal self-interest, gaining what cannot be lost. God calls you today to step out in faith—whether through a small act of courage or a bold commitment to His mission. He empowers the weak to do powerful works and to suffer for His name, counting it as gain.

Let’s pray:
Lord God, thank You for the heroes of faith and the full revelation of Jesus Christ. Open our hearts to step boldly into Your promises, trusting You to meet us with power in our time of need. For those called to hard things, give them courage to commit to what is good and eternal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.