They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:37-38
The news media does not bother to report on the thousands who die every week because of their faith in Christ in Moslem, communist, and Hindu lands. Enemies of the Cross are butchering the Lord’s people, and for the most part, we never hear about it, and we never find out who these dear martyrs are, although we know the Lord does and He holds each of them as precious. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15. They are like those in today’s text.
The Holy Spirit does not identify those who are spoken of in these two verses; no names are given. Details of what they went through are also pretty scanty. Does that mean God considers them unimportant or insignificant? No, I believe God would have us look at these and remind ourselves that, just as these Old Testament saints will receive the full reward of the promises of God, so too will those who suffer in our day. The world forgets and ignores, but God has recorded in full the exploits of every one. He is preparing martyrs’ crowns for His suffering, dying people. Earth’s losses will more than made up for at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Why is all of this important to us? Does it matter to us who know little or nothing of the reproach of Christ? For one, we should devote more time to prayer for those who are suffering and dying for their faith. We ought also to learn what we can about those who are in such perils, to understand how great the persecution is, and how deeply some are suffering. So too, should we submit ourselves to God’s will, that we might be more willing to endure suffering for him if needed, that His testimony be held high in a world that rejects and despises our Saviour.
Would you or I be willing to die of torture for our faith? We hope we never have to find out. But we should consider the possibility. And pray for those who are dying today. – Jim MacIntosh