40 Days of Faith: Day 33

Hebrews 11:32 – And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—

Do you feel the story picking up steam? As you read Hebrews 11, you begin to jump through Israel’s history, as if the writer is skipping a rock over the book of Judges, the kings and the prophets. Hundreds of years are covered in these two sentences.

So, what are we to note? I think it’s right back to what we saw as we opened Hebrews 11 – “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”

Why are these leaders mentioned when others aren’t? Where is King Saul? He was the first king of Israel. Why is King David mentioned and not Saul? David wasn’t perfect.

Is Samson really worthy of mentioning? Barak? Didn’t Barak hesitate and the glory go to Deborah? Jephthah was a fierce warrior and one who made a rash vow that cost him the life of his only daughter. Does he really fit the hall of faith?

It’s interesting to do consider a quick summation of the lives of these leaders and see a lot of brokenness. After leading Israel to victory, Gideon, resisted leadership and being made king, then named his son, Abimelech, which means, son of the king. It seems it was a false humility.

Samson was motivated by pleasure. He didn’t fear God. He toyed with temptation and succumbed. Yet at the end of his days, God still used him, in a moment when he cried out in faith. David was mighty in faith, then strayed, committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed.

These leaders weren’t perfect; rather, they were far from it. So, why are they mentioned here?

I am going to share with you the verses that follow, though in the days ahead, we will still mine these verses for principles of faith. But notice the rest of the sentence from the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 11:32-34:
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Each of these are noted for their faith and how when deployed at a moment in time, their journeys created blessing, rescue, salvation, and rest for others. They get included in the hall of faith, not for living perfect lives, but because in a moment of crises, as leaders, they stood in faith, and it changed the course of Israel’s story.

This is often how we view our political leaders as well. Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president, was far from a perfect man. He battled lifelong depression, wrestled with doubts, and came from humble, unpolished beginnings. Politically, he was often ridiculed, underestimated, and even despised. Yet in the darkest days of the Civil War, when the nation was fractured and the Union’s survival was in question, Lincoln demonstrated remarkable leadership rooted in faith and moral courage.

In 1862, as pressure mounted and voices around him urged compromise with slavery to restore peace, Lincoln instead issued the Emancipation Proclamation — declaring freedom for slaves in Confederate territory. He admitted to his cabinet that he made the decision “after much prayer”[1] and that he had promised God that if the Union won a major victory (which came at Antietam), he would move forward with emancipation.

 Lincoln’s action was not politically safe. It was divisive, unpopular in many parts of the North, and risky in terms of military strategy. Yet his stand of faith and conviction transformed the war from simply a battle to preserve the Union into a moral crusade for human freedom. This decision changed the trajectory of the war, inspired enslaved people, bolstered Union morale, and reshaped the very identity of America.

 As historian Allen Guelzo notes: “Lincoln’s act of emancipation was an act of faith…he had no guarantees it would succeed, but he trusted that God’s justice demanded it and that the Union cause would be vindicated.”[2]

 If you are responsible for others, as a parent, teacher, employer, coach, or bus driver, remember, you won’t be perfect. As a matter of fact, in leading others, you recognize how far from perfect you are. But just because you won’t be perfect, doesn’t mean that you should give up the fight. Instead, cultivate your faith. Grow your understanding of God and his ways and make faith a fundamental part of your leadership journey. In doing so, God will bless you, and more importantly, those you lead.

Prayer:
Father, I confess that I often feel inadequate as a leader. I see my flaws and wonder if You can use me. Thank You for reminding me through Your Word that You use broken vessels who place their faith in You. Strengthen me to lead with conviction, courage, and humility. When I face difficult choices, help me to choose what honors You, even when it’s costly. Let my faith be a blessing to those I lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
[1] John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Abraham Lincoln: A History, Vol. 6 (New York: Century Co., 1890), p. 183.
[2] Allen C. Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America (Simon & Schuster, 2004).