Faith is the confident assurance and evidence we have of God, who we do not see, and His word and promises to us. Faith comes by hearing the word, believing it, and acting on it with an expectation of results. Faith is an important and necessary fruit of righteousness; without faith we cannot have a right standing with God, let alone please Him.
Matthew 17:19-20 NASBS
“[19] Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” [20] And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, YOU WILL SAY to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Faith is active and proactive. Faith is not dormant – passively waiting, enduring and resigning one’s self to the course and outcome of life. Faith is belief in and active obedience to God’s word, as demonstrated by the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews chapter 11.
PRACTICAL FAITH
The heroes of faith listed in Hebrews chapter 11 put their faith into action. All of their responses of faith are verbs – doing words – responding to God in active obedience. Their faith was practical…
By faith, Abel OFFERED a sacrifice
By faith, Enoch PLEASED God and did not see death because he was taken away.
By faith, Noah PREPARED an ark
By faith, Abraham OBEYED and WENT out not knowing where he was going, DWELT in the land of promise as a foreigner, WAITED for the city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God and OFFERED Isaac, his son of promise. Abraham’s faith was an act of righteousness.
Romans 4:19-22 NKJV
“[19] And not being weak in faith, he (Abraham) did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. [20] He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, [21] and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. [22] And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.””
By faith, Sarah CONCEIVED and BORE a son in old age
By faith, Moses WAS HIDDEN at birth by his parents, CHOSE TO IDENTIFY himself with Israel and her suffering, ESTEEMING the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, FORSOOK Egypt, not fearing the king and KEPT the Passover
By faith, Israel PASSED THROUGH the Red Sea on foot and CIRCLED JERICHO for seven days and brought the walls down
By faith, Rahab RECEIVED the spies and SAVED herself and her family from destruction
Through FAITH, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets SUBDUED kingdoms; WORKED righteousness; OBTAINED promises; STOPPED the mouths of lions; QUENCHED the violence of fire; ESCAPED the edge of the sword; BECAME STRONG out of weakness; BECAME VALIANT in battle; TURNED to flight the armies of the aliens.
By faith, some of them, like Gideon, Barak and Samson, OVERCAME personal weaknesses and shortcomings, as they looked away from themselves to a great and faithful God.
BY FAITH MANY ENDURED
Hebrews 11:35-36 NKJV
“[35] Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. [36] Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.”
The same faith that enabled some to escape trouble, enabled others to endure trouble. The same faith that delivered some from death enabled others to die victoriously.
REFLECTION AND PRAYER
How would you describe your faith in God? Would you describe it as active or passive? Have you ever “taken a step of faith” and acted solely in obedience or response to the word of God? How would you describe that experience? Would you act in faith again?
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to develop and build up your faith in God. Ask the Father to give you the grace to bear the righteous fruit of faith.
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)