Promises, promises

Hebrews 13 tells us this: What more can I say? I would run out of time if I told you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 Through faith they conquered kingdoms, brought about justice, realized promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 put out raging fires, escaped from the edge of the sword, found strength in weakness, were mighty in war, and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured and refused to be released so they could gain a better resurrection.

36 But others experienced public shame by being taunted and whipped; they were even put in chains and in prison. 37 They were stoned to death, they were cut in two, and they died by being murdered with swords. They went around wearing the skins of sheep and goats, needy, oppressed, and mistreated. 38 The world didn’t deserve them. They wandered around in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground.

39 All these people didn’t receive what was promised, though they were given approval for their faith. 40 God provided something better for us so they wouldn’t be made perfect without us.

Lots of stuff to mull over there, friends. Resurrection is used a couple of times in the CEB translation, by the way. Don't even want to try to get that.

Nah, what I want to focus on is the idea that faith isn't about receiving what we have faith in. "All these people didn't receive what was promised..."

So, we don't necessarily get what we have faith in that we've been promised but God never doesn't fulfill his promises. Got that? Yeah, I know. It's hard.

But it's true. I promise (if you can believe those promises). Let's go at it this way. What God promises is not money and cars and houses in this life. Ask Mother Theresa about that one. What God does promise is salvation, eternal life with him for those who believe in the one whom he sent. That's about it.

For those expecting the next great job offer or a wonderful spouse or any of the things that might constitute a good life, well, those things come but I suspect strongly that the job offer that comes, God makes good. The spouse who comes, God makes good. 

We're much better off, more full of peace and more accessible to God if we simply thank him for all things, and let Him turn those things to the good.

Believing in Jesus might just get you killed today as it did at the time of the early church. That's evident. But believing in Him changed my life, and I know it will change yours if you simply allow Him to love on you a while.

God provides something better for us so ... 

That's enough.