Hebrews 11:3-4

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks" Hebrews 11:3-4

It seems like every Victorian novel takes place in an old mansion. The heroine is always an outsider, usually common born. Her benefactor, and ultimately her husband, is always high born with lots of ready cash and great influence. Invariably the heroine takes a stroll up a winding stairwell and down a long hall, both covered with ancient paintings of stern men and women, all ancestors of the hero, a hall of fame, if you please. People do that.

The writer of Hebrews begins a list of God's hall of fame with today's verses. He starts with Abel, the first-born son of the first man. He was faithful and his testimony is recorded for us here. The list of ancestors continues through some pretty famous people, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses are a few of those pictured on the hall walls. But the list of dignitaries continues with people, men and women, whose names have been lost, but their faith will be remembered for eternity. These folk performed no great and wondrous deeds that we should take particular note, except for this. They did not deny their God when their lives were on the line. They stayed faithful even though it meant a horrible and public death at the hands of evil persecutors.

All of this leads me to two questions. The first I direct to myself. "What will I leave behind as a legacy? Will my picture be hung on God's wall of faithful servants?" Hmmmmmmm. That will require some thought. Let's move on to the second question, one I will direct to you.

"What will you leave behind as a legacy? Will your picture be hung on God's wall of faithful servants?" Think about it. Amen and Amen.