Ordinary People-extraordinary God
Scripture Reading — Hebrews 11:32-38
I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson … David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms…
Hebrews 11:32-33
Some of the names in Hebrews 11 are well known. Others are not. But all are the names of believers through whom God worked to keep his promises.
As we ponder Hebrews 11, which is sometimes described as the Bible’s chapter on “heroes of faith,” we should note that this chapter never uses the word hero. It simply lists the names of ordinary people whom God used for extraordinary purposes.
For the past sixteen years, I have had the privilege of pastoring the same church family. In that family I have known ordinary people who are “heroes of faith.”
As I write this devotional piece, a father of five is facing life without his beloved wife and best friend because of her death. Amy’s faith saw her through nine years of battling cancer that ultimately affected her breathing. She took her last earthly breath on Christmas morning.
Amy’s husband has shared with me that as he and his children face the future, it is through faith that they will become “more than conquerors” (see Romans 8:35-39).
Faith is something that tethers us to God and pulls us forward—step by step and day by day.
Dear God, I am an ordinary person—you know that. I desire to be used by you for your purposes. Empty my life so that you may fill it with your gifts, including the gift of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Julius T. Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the founding pastor of a church in New Lenox, Illinois. He is currently serving as president of Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jul and his wife, Jackie, are blessed with a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Julianne.
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