Wednesday November 30th, 2016 St. Andrew, Apostle Hebrews 11:1-7,32-40
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (verse 1)
When life seems difficult, I think of my grandma Lucy. She immigrated to the prairies from England after WWI. There she married my grandfather Peter, a farmer. They raised five sons in a two-room farmhouse-no plumbing, no electricity. She learned to garden, raise chickens, can produce and bake five pies before breakfast! She worked hard, laughed often and left a legacy of love. She was an example of grit and determination to me even though I lived far away and saw her infrequently.
The writer of Hebrews wants the beleaguered Christian community to whom he wrote to see their ancestors in the faith as examples of how to live. Some “through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice” (verse 33) while others “suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.” (verse 36) All of them, whether they experienced triumph or trials, were participants in God’s saving work and able to speak to the community’s difficulties. Their faith-filled lives continued to inspire and instruct.
It’s a reminder to us that our lives are part of God’s saving work. Whether we are in a time of triumph or trial, living with faith makes a difference, not only to us but to those who will learn from our lives.
Faithful God, show through our lives your saving power. Amen. — CST
Contributed by Ancestral Power
When life seems difficult, I think of my grandma Lucy. She immigrated to the prairies from England after WWI. There she married my grandfather Peter, a farmer. They raised five sons in a two-room farmhouse-no plumbing, no electricity. She learned to garden, raise chickens, can produce and bake five pies before breakfast! She worked hard, laughed often and left a legacy of love. She was an example of grit and determination to me even though I lived far away and saw her infrequently.
The writer of Hebrews wants the beleaguered Christian community to whom he wrote to see their ancestors in the faith as examples of how to live. Some "through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice" (verse 33) while others "suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment." (verse 36) All of them, whether they experienced triumph or trials, were participants in God's saving work and able to speak to the community's difficulties. Their faith-filled lives continued to inspire and instruct.
It's a reminder to us that our lives are part of God's saving work. Whether we are in a time of triumph or trial, living with faith makes a difference, not only to us but to those who will learn from our lives.
