Where Are The Heroes?

From the Pastor:  Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. …” (Please read all of Hebrews 11:1-40) 

Hebrews 11 is frequently referred to as God’s “Heroes Hall of Faith,” for it reveals some of the Father’s heroes through the ages.  Now, I am quite sure that these are only a microscopic fraction of those who have sublimely given themselves unreservedly to the will of God over the last six thousand years.  Every generation has had its number of heroes of the faith.  However, the numbers seem to have varied drastically throughout the changing of the generations.  When there was a peaking of numerous heroes the Faith grew abundantly; but as the numbers diminished the growth or the spreading of the Faith equally began to shrink.  Progression of the Faith that was once delivered unto the Apostles has always been in direct proportion to the quantity of heroes in the Faith. 

Seemingly, from the beginning of the 1900’s until this day there has been a continuous and radical decline in heroes of the Faith.  Fewer in each generation have given themselves unreservedly and determinedly to fight the good fight of faith.  Where have all the heroes gone?  Where are those that will stand and cry out: “Is there not a cause?”  Where are those who will anchor in the Rock of Ages and build upon the one sure foundation, instead of sensationalizing upon the shifting sands of human degradations?  Who will humbly plead: “Here am I, LORD, send me!”?  Are we will to allow the ranks to continue in their wretched decline?  Who will fill them up?

Men are not born as heroes!  Heroism is the result of weakness being made strong by the power of God in willing vessels.  Submissiveness is a prelude to exaltation.  True Christianity is not a free ride; there is a cost that must be exacted.  Sadly, many are comfortable crouching in their foxholes while the few charge forward into the battle.  If some would but change their crouching into kneeling, they would find the courage to fly from the pits behind the shield of faith onward and upward.  Perhaps, they, too, would find themselves inducted into God’s Heroes Hall of Faith.