Pastor’s Corner: “Liars, Cheaters, Cowards, and Other Bible Heroes”
Hebrews 11:33 (NLT) – 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.
Hebrews 11, the Heroes Hall of Faith is a record of men and women whom God used. They were ordinary people like us who did extraordinary things. They faced incredibly adverse circumstances like we do, but they rose above those circumstances and changed their world.
They weren’t perfect people. They were far from it in fact. They failed often. They’re not in the Heroes Hall of Faith because they were great people; they are there because they had faith in a great God. They have two things in common with us: they were really flawed, and they had faith and used it.
Think for a moment about who these men and women were when the Lord called them. Noah got drunk. Samson was a very immoral man. Gideon was afraid. Rahab was a prostitute. David was an adulterer and a murderer. Elijah was suicidal at one point. Jonah ran from God. Moses lost his temper and killed a man. Abraham lied about his wife twice (a behavior repeated by his son Isaac). Isaac’s son Jacob lied and connived. Sarah laughed at the promise of God. Not exactly the resumes you would think God is looking for.
In Hebrews 11 we only read of their great exploits of faith. These world changers didn’t always collect medals. Sometimes they collected scars. It’s amazing that we don’t find a single mention of any of their sins in these passages. And they did sin. However, not one word of their failure is mentioned. Why? Because they were forgiven, and God gives second chances. They were looked at for what they became, not what they were. In the same way, when God looks at you He sees a work in progress. But He doesn’t just see you for what you are in the moment; He sees you for what you can become.
They discovered the secret of staying on top is not talent. It is not opportunities or status. It is faith in God. Having faith in God means more than just believing, it means working out this faith in action…believing and obeying despite fears and doubts. Great faith is not a lack of doubt, great faith is trusting God in the face of doubt and fear! In Hebrews 11 the phrase “By Faith” is repeated over and over again. By faith God was able to turn their weakness into strength they were able to achieve amazing and unthinkable things!
These people were far from perfect. Their stories remind us that God doesn’t just see us for what we are. He also sees us for what we can become. Could we change our world? I believe we can—if we will step up and start using our faith. God wants to use us—if we will take our faith and apply it.
So what’s your excuse? Think about it. These people messed up, but God gave them second chances. Maybe you need a second chance. Maybe you’ve had a lapse of faith. We all fail in life. We all have lapses. Simon Peter openly denied the Lord, but God gave him a second chance. Jesus recommissioned him at the Sea of Galilee. What about Jonah? He ran from God, but God got his attention in the stomach of a great fish. Jonah came to his senses and was given a second chance. God gives second chances.
You can have a second chance, and God can use you. Maybe you feel like your story is over because of mistakes you’ve made or a sin you’ve committed. Get up and run again. Your story isn’t over.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton