35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
Hebrews 11:35-38
The writer of Hebrews ends chapter 11 with a list of scenarios that most Western Christians might only see in the movies. We are tempted to relegate such atrocities to the past and thank God for our blessings. Let us not forget that in fact many in our world today live in war conditions, are innocent victims of disease or human trafficking, and are powerless to even provide for their families the basic necessities of life. Let us guard against making a hierarchy of blessed to unblessed and patting ourselves on the back that we are better than many below us. Having drama in our life does not mean God is angry with us and being blessed does not mean God is on our side, showering us with material gifts.
The writer says, “of whom the world was not worthy.” Our worth does not come from this world but from God, who made the world, knows our hearts and who is making us an eternity to be with him. May our trials drive us to a deeper faith in a God who walks unseen faithfully with us daily in all kinds of trials, carrying us to a future he has designed. And may our blessings drive us to our knees in gratitude. Guard us against being smug and fill our hearts with compassion for those suffering. Strengthen them in their distress. “Thy kingdom come.”
On the Way to Wonder 