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By Faith The Elders Obtained a Good Report Hebrews 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Hebrews 11 mentions a great number of the elders or forebears of Israel who had passed on to their reward. They left a testimony behind as a memorial to the lives of faith that they had lived. The writer uses their testimonies to inspire the generation to whom he is writing. He reminds them, and us, of the precious heritage that has been left to us all. Men like Abel, Noah , Enoch and Moses and of course father Abraham, the father of the faithful. We’ll speak more of some of these in future devotionals. We all share in the heritage of faith left by the Old Testament saints. Many of us are also blessed to have an heritage of faith passed down from our parents, and others who have affected our lives. I remember many stories from my childhood about how my parents lived by faith. One such instance was when they had nothing to eat. My mother put water on the stove to boil with nothing to put in the pot. Mother and father went to prayer and before the prayer was ended somebody was knocking on the door with food in their arms. Another instance was when my father felt that God had told him to go to Oklahoma to preach, but he didn’t have the money for train fare. He placed his bags on the train platform and heard the whistle blowing as the train approached. Before the train left the station, a sister came up and asked, “You don’t have the fare, do you?” Upon hearing that he didn’t she ran across the street and sold eggs to a grocery store and gave him money for the fare. I can’t live on mother and father’s testimony, but these are things that I remembered when my own tests of faith came along. I was encouraged by their example and I trust that I can leave the same example for those who come after me. Joshua and Caleb are perfect examples of Old Testament saints who obtained a good report. They were among the twelve spies that Moses sent to spy out Canaan. They saw the same things that the dissenting ten saw, but they came to a different conclusion. They saw the spies, but they also remembered the promises of God. They saw the walled cities, but they also remembered how God had delivered them from Egypt and how He had parted the Red Sea. They remembered the word of the Lord of Leviticus 20:24: Leviticus 20:24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I [am] the LORD your God, which have separated you from [other] people. Numbers 14:24 tells us that Caleb had another spirit with him. I would say a spirit that believed God and took Him at His word. His report was, "We are able to possess the land" (Numbers 13:30). Joshua and Caleb ignored the what they saw. They ignored the evil report of the other ten spies and against all odds, they believed God and were anxious to obey Him. Many of us have also had instances where, ignoring the facts, we trusted God, and we saw His deliverance. I remember how that the doctor said, "Your son will be a vegetable." We didn’t accept this report and the doctor proved to be wrong, very wrong. I remember when cancer struck my body. After the prayer of faith, the cancer was dead when they took it out. So, Are you facing giants and walled cities? Does there seem to be no answer and no where to turn? Perhaps if you think back, you’ll remember where the Lord has delivered you before? If He did it once, He’ll do it again. Perhaps you have a family heritage of faith? If God did it for your family, He’ll do it for you. Most of all we all have the unchangeable promises of an unchangeable God (II Peter 1:4). He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and to go with us to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). With promises like that the giants don’t look so big, do they? Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com Use your refresh button to see more banners --Add these banners to your website
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