Hebrews 11 is written as an encouragement for people of faith to finish their race strong. Because it doesn’t matter how well you ran the race if you give up too soon.

When have you seen someone give up too early and it cost them?

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 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. 35 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. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 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—38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith. —Hebrews 11:32-39 (NIV)

This last section of the “heroes of faith” chapter is a rapid fire list of those who were commended for their faith.

What does it mean that “These were all commended for their faith?”

The writer of Hebrews highlights two groupings of people. Those who had a conquering faith… and those who had suffering faith.

God commends a conquering faith.

The stories of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets are highlighted for their victories. By faith kingdoms can be conquered, justice can be administered, promises can be received, mouths of lions can be shut, flames can be quenched and battles can be won.

What does this tell us about faith?

We should never doubt what God can do. But there is a difference between believing God can and insisting that he will.

What does that difference look like?

God commends a suffering faith.

We are inspired by testimonies of those who experienced triumph because of their faith… But aren’t we also equally inspired by those who experienced tragedy because of their faith?

Why are we inspired by a suffering faith?
Share a story of someone you know who has suffered for their faith.

God commends an enduring faith.

Discipleship is rarely a sprint. It is almost always a marathon. And that’s why it where you are right now on your journey of faith is not near as important as where you end up.

God desires all of us to finish strong in the faith.

In what ways are you pursuing victory in the faith?