Mountain Movers

Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:36-38)

While many of God's people received great victories and the blessings that went along with them, others endured suffering because of their faith in God. In fact, they went through every type of suffering imaginable.

Some of the faithful faced emotional abuse such as jeers, insults, and relentless mocking. On top of that, they also suffered flogging, which in Greek is "mastix," referring to a whip or scourge. The type of punishment they went through makes Fear Factor challenges look like kindergarten games.

Others were chained and put in prison because they trusted in the promises and love of God. Their torturerers' aim was to take away their freedom. Little did they know that their freedom did not lie in a set of physical confines but transcended into the spiritual realm.

Some of the faithful were stoned. They were taken to an area where a group of accusers would throw stones at them until they died. This was a slow and painful way to die. Imagine how it would feel knowing that there would be stones thrown at every part of your body and you would be utterly exposed and defenseless. For those that were fortunate to survive this torturous ordeal, like the apostle Paul, certainly many of them had broken bones, concussions, damaged eyes, and missing teeth. Their faces must have been mashed to a pulp. Would it really be that much better to survive?

Some of the faithful were sawed in two. Tradition says that this was how Isaiah died. There is no doubt that this would be one of the most painful death someone could experience.

Those who suffered were destitute, persecuted, and mistreated. Certainly there were some sharp individuals who gave up their status in society because they would not compromise their faith in God. As a result, they went about with no food, were insulted, tortured, and neglected. The world saw them as worthless.

Because of their faith, they gave up their homes and spent their time wandering around and settled in undesirable places. They lost everything of value to the world's eyes, yet possessed the most important thing: faith expressing itself through love.

Where was God in all of these situations? Did God abandon them or lose track of them? We can find the answer in the Psalms.

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. (Psalm 139:7-14)

David was all too familiar with fleeing from those who persecuted him. Yet he always knew where God stood. Similarly, the faithful knew that God was always around them. During times of excruciating pain, they could take comfort in knowing that the Creator of the Universe was right there with them and understood everything they were going through fully. They knew that God formed their inward being. God had an ultimate purpose for them that could never be shaken or shattered. No matter what we go through, God is Wonderful.

The real test of our faith comes through the most challenging of times. How we react during the difficult times is an accurate indication of how our relationship with God really is.

In 21st Century western society, we really don't know what it means to suffer for our faith. It is true that there are exceptions to this rule. I have friends who have been disowned by their families because of their faith. However, by and large, our suffering is a result of health, crime, or the consequences of poor decisions.

What gave the faithful the motivation to endure during the most challenging times? Paul gives us some insight into this matter.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

When you fix your eyes on God, anything and everything is possible. As we read in the above passage, Paul's troubles brought about achievement. He received eternal glory. When he envisioned the big picture, his problems appeared small and fleeting. He decided to focus on the immeasurable glory of God. That gave him the strength to endure any and all circumstances.

There will be difficult trials and tribulations awaiting us in the future that will really challenge our faith. Sadly, many will be too caught up in this temporary world and lose focus of the everlasting splendor God has in store for us. However, for those who are truly faithful, God will give them the strength to endure and finally gain the reward waiting for them.

In the next chapter, we will see what Hebrews 11 has to say about our lives and the incredible blessings God has planned for us.