Superior. More excellent. Rooted in strength, power, and dominion. This is what Hebrews means when it describes Jesus Christ as better than any shadow that came before. Because the New Covenant is more than just a new set of promises from God; it is God Himself.

Faith is God’s value system, His currency if you will. The phrase "of whom the world was not worthy" demolishes the human perspective about value and worth. Because the simplest act of faith is more precious in His eyes than all the riches in the world.

Remaining faithful to the Lord doesn’t always yield the positive results and happy endings we want. In response to our loyalty, sometimes Father parts the hedge and allows pain, suffering, and struggle into our lives.

From Asa and Caleb to Hezekiah and the Shunamite woman, the kaleidoscope of faith continues to reveal how each of these saints, through their own unique circumstances, chose to remain fiercely loyal to Yahweh.

Though unnamed, the saints in Hebrews 11:33-28 reveal the many ways their faith was exhibited. Unwaveringly loyal to the Lord, they showed how faith is the only ‘currency’ He values.

Part 2 of this series shows us the other side of the coin, when the faith of Elijah, Hosea, and Jeremiah led them down paths of suffering and loss – things we’d rather not experience.

In Part 1 of this two-episode tandem, we discuss times when the faith of Elijah and Elisha resulted in positive, encouraging, powerful outcomes – things we’d all love to see in our daily lives.

This prophet brings us face to face with some challenging questions: How do people of faith respond when God’s justice seems like injustice, when our world turns upside down, and when our dreams are shattered?