For more than twenty years, LearnTheBible.org has consistently provided free content from a Bible-believing perspective to our thousands of annual visitors. We do not run ads or charge for access to this wealth of Bible study materials, outlines, preaching, teaching, and so much more! Expenses to maintain our hosting, servers, etc. are provided by the generous donations of God's people. If you have been helped and blessed by LTB through the years, would you help us continue to maintain and support this growing ministry by partnering with us with a onetime or monthly gift?
To those who read, listen, and share our content, we are extremely grateful! Please continue to pray for us and "Thank You!" for 20 great years!
The Cost of Loyalty - Hebrews 11:32-38
The Cost of Loyalty - Hebrews 11:32-38 [32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
[33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
[34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
[35] Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
See All...
See All...
INTRODUCTION
Loyalty often carries a cost! For some, the cost may be minimal, but for others it may be quite costly. Throughout the history of mankind, the people of God have endured mocking, persecution, and even martyrdom, all because they would not recant their proclamation of faith in the creator of heaven and earth. Though many things have changed, those who walk with the Lord today will likewise face various forms of persecution. Knowing that the Lord Jesus paid the ultimate price when He gave Himself for mankind, believers ought to be willing to endure whatever cost may be required by loyalty. Though Hebrews 11 is complete, the Lord still keeps track of those who are loyal to Him.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For smaller children) The apostle Paul suffered many things because of his faith in the Lord (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 [23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
See All...). His faith even cost him his life (2 Timothy 4:6-7 [6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
See All...). Let's ask the Lord to help us be willing to live and suffer for Him (2 Timothy 3:12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
See All...). - What price can you honestly say you have paid because of your loyalty to the Lord? What price would you be willing to pay in order to maintain your loyalty to Him?
- Who is your favorite Bible character? Was he or she loyal to the Lord? What did he or she endure for remaining loyal? What could you learn from that person’s loyalty?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask the Lord to give you a willingness to pay the price of loyalty.
- Ask God to give you strength in times of persecution.
HYMN
Am I a Soldier of the Cross?
LTB DEVOTIONS ON FACEBOOK
Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.
Proverbs 1:33
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.