Not Shrinking Back – Week Three

At what point is faith the strongest? Is it when we see the miracle, when we hold steady in the storm, or when we cling to hope despite discouraging circumstances?

I have heard it said that faith is not faith until it walks in the dark. The mountain top experiences most certainly affirm and build our faith, but the valleys deepen and strengthen our character in a way nothing else can.

The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish people who faced great suffering for following Jesus (Hebrews 10:32-33). The author challenges them not to throw away their confidence because of this suffering but rather tap into endurance.

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NASB

“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the persevering of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39

We are not those who shrink back.

If you want to give up today, don’t.

Press in.

Stay strong.

Hold steady.

Find encouragement through those who have gone before you.

After a cataloging of specific faith journeys, comes one of the most sobering yet comforting sections of Hebrews 11 in verses 32-38. The author explains that there is not enough time to share all the testimonies of the great men and women of faith. Some of their stories end with kingdoms conquered, lion’s mouths held shut, and victories in war. But other stories end in torture, imprisonment, ill-treatment, and hiding in caves or holes in the ground.

Through my work at Advancing Native Missions, a global mission organization, I hear testimonies of faith every day, just like the above. Stories of faithful men and women beaten and thrown in prison, whose homes and churches are destroyed, and who give up everything to follow Jesus.

In most recent days, the news is full of the Taliban’s gaining control in Afghanistan. Amid the many terrible events, we know that Christians are losing their lives because of their faith.

Often, I find myself asking God – Why don’t You intervene? Why don’t You stop the pain? When will you reward their great faith?

While I don’t pretend to understand God’s ways, I do know that He is faithful. He is strong, true, right, and just. Despite our circumstances and our pain, He is unchanging.

And as I consider those men and women, I am awed by their strength and determination. I don’t doubt that their faith is genuine because they are losing their lives, but instead, I am challenged to deepen my faith because of their steadfastness.

And I know there is more to their story.

Revelation records the apostle John’s vision of the future. One scene in chapter 6 reveals believers who died for the faith, crying out to God – how long? They are looking for God’s justice on earth. As they plea, they are commanded to rest until the time of completion has come.

God sees and knows. The prayers of His people move him. The faith of our suffering brothers and sisters around the world does not go unnoticed by God. And neither does your suffering.

Let’s commit to unwavering faith – not a faith that comes and goes based on feeling or circumstance, but the kind of faith that does not shrink back, faith that persevers to the end.