In Hebrews 11:34 we find the title of this short article. This chapter is about the men and women of faith who lived hundreds and thousands of years before the New Testament was written. They were able to prevail against overwhelming forces and challenges because of their faith in God. They would appear to be weak and/or small in the sight of men; but, yet, were bastions of spiritual strength by God’s grace and mighty hand. Indeed, through the trying and testing of their faith, they became strong in the Lord.

We cry out in the hour of our ordeal; but, we need to take the long view, trusting in the Lord.  After he lost Joseph, and Benjamin was to be taken, the elderly Jacob said, “All these things are against me” (Gen. 42:36). But, how mistaken he was in the long view.  The taking of Joseph was God’s way of preserving Jacob and his family from the severe famine (Gen. 45:5; 50:20). There are painful circumstances which seem so terribly against us and which we cannot understand at the time. Yet, by the hand of God, these trying circumstances are, in the long term or view, actually working for us.

But, we must have the faith and patience that waits and holds on while the plan of God unfolds.  Through the gloom and despair, we must stay focused on the promise that “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Oh, but if we could only look ahead, we would praise God for many things about which we now lament and complain! But, by faith we can appropriate the promise of God, “knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint” (Rom. 5:3-5).

I have read that the difference in the musical tone of a violin depends very much upon the quality of the wood from which it is made. The most skilled violin maker in the world cannot make a great instrument from inferior wood. There was a famous violinist who always made his own instruments because he wanted to choose a special kind of wood. He shunned the forest; but, instead, went to the mountains to select the special wood for his instruments. There at the top of a cliff, which was exposed to all of the storms, he harvested wood from the trees. He realized that the severe weather conditions there toughened the wood and produced a quality of grain and resiliency that could not be obtained in any other way. As a matter of fact, he used only the wood from the side of the tree that faced the wind. The lesson surely is an obvious one to us.

You see, by the storms of adversity, does our wise and loving Father above prepare and develop in us the music of heaven, namely, a beautiful harmonious character. The materials must be there in order to make a fine instrument that produces beautiful music. And, the materials of faith and love must be there before “tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11). Either memorize this verse, or refer to it often. Above all, take it to heart and “out of weakness (be) made strong.”