Peeps at some heroes of faith in olden times.
IN THE great cities of the world, there is always a national gallery in which the pictures of a country’s heroes, soldiers, sailors, statesmen and great men and women are hung, that coming generations may see the “worthies” of days gone by, whose deeds are recorded in the annals of their fatherland.
Now God has His picture gallery too, and we see hung around its walls the pictures of some whom He counts great, and whose names are inscribed on the rolls of honor of heaven’s heroes of faith, in Hebrews 11.
First comes ABEL (v. 4) who came to God as a sinner, by faith offered a sacrifice on his altar, showing the need of death to atone for his sin. He stood as a confessed sinner beside the “firstling of his flock,” which he offered up to God, and for which God accounted him righteous. Abel is counted one of God’s honored ones, and so are all who acknowledge themselves the “sinner” (Luke 18:1313And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13)), and trust the Lamb of God, who was “wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)).
The second is ENOCH (v. 5) who “walked with God" (Gen. 5:2222And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (Genesis 5:22)). He went to be with Him for, “God took him,” as He will do for those who will “go to heaven without dying,” when Jesus comes. You must be saved like Abel before you can walk like Enoch. Salvation by faith comes first, then walking in the truth and in communion with God next.
NOAH (v. 7) was a worker. He built an ark and entered it with his family where he was safe when the flood came. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord for he was a just man and walked with God. Noah built an ark for the safety of his house, and God shut him in in safety. Those who trust in Christ as the only Refuge will be safe in the coming judgment of the world.
Next ABRAHAM (v. 8) heard the call of God, gave up all and became a pilgrim and stranger in the land of promise. Later he laid his son Isaac on the altar at God’s command, but God spared Abraham from slaying his son and honored him for his faith and obedience.
These are only a few of God’s worthies. To trust God, to obey His Word, to do His will, is the happy and honored life here, and will have a rich reward in heaven. There are many others of God’s worthies we read about in His Word, but these four tell us how to be saved, and then to walk, work, and live for the Lord.
ML-07/02/1972