Faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
—Hebrews 11:1
Sometimes God gives us immediate victory.
Sometimes he doesn’t.
Hebrews 11:32–35a names some people of faith who were triumphant in this life. Then 11:35b–38 notes some of equal faith who weren’t.
King Nebuchadnezzar threatened three Jewish teenagers: “Worship my gold statue or be burned to a crisp!”
They responded: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it . . . But even if he does not . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold” (Dn 3:17–18).
These Hebrew youths have this to say to us: when God’s presence and power are obvious, be faithful; and when it seems that he doesn’t hear and act, still be faithful.
God honors faithfulness—now or later.