Devotional: Nameless Sufferers

Hebrews 11:35-40 When we are persecuted we may feel alone. As we suffer we may go into a mental and emotional closet, and we shut the door to hide from our persecutors for safety reasons. We may not want others, especially our family, friends, and church to see what we are going through. The writer of Hebrews tells us that there are nameless people who have suffered. They suffered and died because their faith led them to believe that God will reward them. The writer wants us to know that we are not alone. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us (12:1). With this in our hearts and in our minds we can press on with our eyes fixed on Jesus who made the supreme sacrifice on our behalf. Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank you for your Son Jesus who suffered on our behalf. We thank you for those nameless persons who suffer with us for the name of Jesus. Give us strength to endure whatever trials we may face. Amen