“Search for the hero inside yourself…”

In chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, we see the great list of ‘heroes of the faith’. A long list of people who did amazing feats due to their faith in God.

“who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” Hebrews 11:32-39.

These guys were the original superheroes. The Spirit of God empowered these believers to do amazing things. Samson was so strong he killed a lion with his bare hands and his strength was so amazing that it brought the house down; literally (see Judges 16:23-31). Enoch was the original ‘beam me up Scotty’ guy. The Bible says that he was “walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.” Genesis 5:24. Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Talk about a fire exit!

Just a quick glance through the pages of the Old Testament and you can see what our awesome God can do with ordinary lives that are lived in faithful obedience to Him and His call.

In Hebrews the author states that even though all these amazing things happened as they walked in faith, “none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:40. Wow!

What was that better thing? What was promised that they were waiting for?

in one word – Jesus!

The Messiah. God’s appointed King to come and deliver His people from slavery to sin and death.

Jesus is the promise fulfilled. Jesus is the better thing.

The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that; “since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3. Followers of Jesus are encouraged to press on and keep on following in obedience, even when it gets tough, even when it gets difficult. Like the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, followers of Jesus can, by obediently following Him in faith, be used by God to do amazing things.

Look at the lives of people like Charles Spurgeon, William Tyndale, Sundar Singh, Adoniram Judson, Brother Andrew, Corrie Ten Boom, Mother Theresa, William Wilberforce, John Wesley and Mary Jones to name a few.

People that have gone before us and left a blazing legacy of faith, like Elijah’s chariot racing through the sky. Even today, there are men and women who have answered Jesus’ call to come and follow Him. Men and women who are, by their obedience, transforming the world around them with God’s love. People like Heidi & Rolland Baker, John Kirkby, Andy Hawthorne, Canon Andrew White, Reinhard Bonnke, and Rachel Gardner.

Let us today, inspired by the lives of other Christians around us, and the lives of faithful God-followers that have gone before us, do like them and follow God and His call on our lives.

Who knows whose life will be transformed and changed by your simple act of obedience.