And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets. Hebrews 11:32
Who are the heroes of your faith? Do you have a particular person who you treasure because God used them to help guide you to salvation? Is there a particular elder in your Assembly who you trust to confide your spiritual struggles and whose judgment and advice you appreciate? Is there a particular preacher whose messages seem to stir your soul and bring you closer to the Lord? As you look back on your Christian journey thus far, you will realize that God brought along a number of people to be the help to you that you needed and to provide you with a worthy example to follow. But if you think of those people, you will agree that they were not perfect themselves, at least not all the time. They are like some of the people listed in this chapter, commended for their great faith, but whose faults are also noted in the Scriptures.
It is true that Gideon was a great man, used mightily of God in defeating the enemies of Israel. But he is also notable for his hesitation in moving forward, twice requiring the testing of the fleece to determine if God really wanted him to move forward. That should be an encouragement for us today, because we are so hesitant to step forward in faith. And yet, God does not give up on us but desires that we make progress for Him.
Barak was also a man noted for his reluctance to move forward, reluctant to go into battle against Sisera and his armies unless the bold and determined Deborah went with him. Can we see ourselves in this man? Can we recall the times when we had to be pushed into obedience to the Lord’s will, when we allowed others to take the initiative that should have been ours? Barak did win a great victory, and so can we if we overcome our spiritual cold feet and allow the Lord to move through us.
Much of the time, our assessment of Sampson is negative. We recall the mistakes he made, the foolish decisions in his life, and the disobedience that led him to eventual disaster. But he is listed in Faith’s Hall of Fame, so God must have been impressed with his service. We have made mistakes. We have made foolish decisions. We have been disobedient. But like Sampson, we can act in faith to achieve what God wants to achieve.
Be encouraged today. We may not become great heroes of the faith. But we can still serve the Lord despite all of the failings of our past. – Jim MacIntosh