I think this will be the last of this little series relating to Russia. We’ve looked at Truth, Courage, and now, with a stronger biblical emphasis, Faith. Our readings last week ended with Hebrews 11, which you may remember is the “Faith Hall of Fame” chapter. You might want to read it in its entirety.

I’m going to skip over the first part, which defines faith nicely in verses 1 and 6, and mentions a number of famous Bible characters and their ACTS of faith. We know from James 2 that faith is defined by action, not just by a set of beliefs.

• Abel
• Enoch
• Noah
• Abraham
• Sarah
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Joseph
• Moses
• (Joshua – not named) – Walls of Jericho fell down
• Rahab

I want to look at the hard section of Hebrews 11, verses 32 – 38, bulleted for clarity:

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—who through faith 

• conquered kingdoms, 
• enforced justice, 
• obtained promises, 
• stopped the mouths of lions, 
• 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. 
• Women received back their dead by resurrection. 

—And there is a big break, right in the middle of verse 35— 

Others 

• were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 
• suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 
• were stoned, 
• were sawn in two, 
• were killed with the sword
• went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

I’m praying that Ukraine is on the top half of verses 32 – 38! “…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.”

But there are some already experiencing the bottom half. If there’s any faith in this war, it’s in Ukraine. There are believers there:

Even now, there are Christians in Ukraine living this out: packing churches and singing hymns in a metro station. Volunteers who hosted “Night to Shine” events with the Tim Tebow Foundation are now evacuating special needs families with their own trucks and gas. Indeed, there is life everywhere. In Christ, there is Life, abundant life, even in the darkest moments. – Breakpoint, March 18, 2022

Hebrews 11.32 – 38 is clear: there are no guarantees in this life. Sometimes the good guys lose. But the word is clear:

You need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. (Hebrews 10.36, MSG)