“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” – Hebrews 11:39-40
Scripture reading: Hebrews 11: 1-40
What an amazing and wonderful testimony about faith we receive in this chapter from Old Testament saints. Some of them received only part of the promises. Some of them saw the promises from afar off, while some of them only embraced the promises in the shadows.
Verse 39 shows us that they did not receive the fulfillment of THE promise. What was THE promise? Christ! None of them came to know the fullness and glory of the person and work of Jesus Christ, His death, resurrection and ascension, and His blessed priesthood, like we do! (Look up: Mt. 13:17).
That’s why this chapter ends with saying: God has truly prepared something better for us! Why?
Because Jesus is better!
His promises are better! His glory is greater! His blood is better! His faithful perseverance is better!
And we have all that to look at and to spur us on in the trials of life… These Old Testament saints, who endured, never saw how Jesus took the cross, despised the shame for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:1-2). But we and the Hebrew Christians can! That’s why we are called to lay aside every besetting sin, and run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! Through Jesus, God has truly prepared something better for us! As we look to the persevering example of Christ, we should be encouraged to face our every-day trials and difficulties with determination. Let us look to Jesus today.
Suggestions for prayer
Pray for endurance and faith to look to Jesus whenever you experience trials and temptations. Thank God that He has given us the full revelation of Christ in His Word to encourage us in hard times.
Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
