“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 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 11:32-38 )

Faith has always been the defining characteristic of God’s people. Throughout the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, we see example after example of faith. Circumstances grim, chances for natural success low and yet, God’s people always flourish because of faith and God’s promise to respond to it. Faith is so important to the believer that Paul told the Corinthian church, “We live by faith, not by sight” ( II Corinthians 5:7 ). The Amplified Bible describes it this way, “For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance” ( II Corinthians 5:7 Amp ).

In every example given, faith was a lifestyle, there was no going back to live a normal life. Faith made the difference from ordinary into extraordinary, although in the natural they faced torment, beatings, prison, mutilation and death, wandering in the deserts, mountains and living in caves. However, the scripture says that the world was not worthy of them. Like Enoch, they received a good report that God was pleased with them and it is still on record today, centuries after their experiences.

These examples were given to encourage and give us hope. Throughout the entirety of the scriptures we see countless examples of the men and women of faith. This was written for us, Paul said, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” ( Romans 15:4 ). Since faith is the substance of things hoped for ( Hebrews 11:1 ), the scriptures were given to give us a place to aim, hope.

No wonder the world was not worthy of the countless individuals that decided to trust God when all else seemed hopeless. They have received a good report and have run their race so that we might draw encouragement from their example of faith. Therefore, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” ( Galatians 6:9 ).

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient” ( Hebrews 11:31 )

Rahab had an understanding of God’s character; an understanding that many of His covenant people lacked. As terror spread throughout the land, because of the Israelites camped at the Jordan awaiting entrance into their Promised Land, Rahab made a deal with the spies hidden in her house and God honored it. The account of Rahab’s faith is an amazing story of redemption.

When Joshua sent spies into the land to bring back a report, they stopped at Jericho entering into Rahab’s house. As a prostitute, her house gave them opportunity to blend in. After hiding them on the roof, she redirected the king’s servants, who were looking for them, into the countryside on a wild goose chase. She reveals to the spies that the entire land was shaking with fear because their God’s fame and mighty works had preceeded them for decades ( Joshua 2:9-11 ).

Rahab’s next move was amazing, she asked the spies to exchange her kindness for a sign that she and her family would be spared when Jericho was defeated ( Joshua 2:12-13 ). Agreeing to her terms, they instructed her to keep the scarlet cord, on which they escaped in the window. Assuring that everyone remaining inside would be spared ( Joshua 2:17-20 ).

What is interesting about this, is that Rahab made this deal based solely on God’s grace. She was from Jericho, she was a harlot, she had no right to ask anything. Secondly, she put herself in grave danger by helping the spies and then remaining in the city surrounded by enemies who could turn on her if they knew her part in helping the Israelites. And yet, her token of this agreement and her life line was a scarlet cord hanging in plain view. This is a marvelous picture of redemption. She put her faith in the grace of God and God provided a way out giving her a reminder by the scarlet, blood-colored cord, ever present before her; reassuring her, redemption was drawing neigh.

As the city fell, Joshua gave the spies the honor of bringing Rahab, her family and all her possessions out from the midst of the destruction and into the Israelite community ( Joshua 6:22-25 ). She trusted God to save her because she had insight into God’s character trusting solely in His goodness and His grace. God responded to her faith and forever commemorated her in the lineage of the Messiah, Jesus Christ ( Matthew 1:5 ). Her story is one of redemption and restoration and will forever be celebrated in the Hebrews Hall of Fame.