Faith, part 20

I’m not quite done talking about those with faith yet, but this entry has a slightly different focus. Many have acted on faith, and have done many great things. They have endured much, and sacrificed much through faith. Most of us will never be asked to do such things. The writer of Hebrews discusses it well in verses 32-38 of chapter 11:

“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-Of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

A lot has been done through faith, and much has been endured. Through faith people have escaped torment, and through faith they have endured it. Faith has kept many strong through countless ordeals. Whether the highest heights or the lowest lows, our faith can always be there to make us stronger. To help us remember to praise the Lord in our victories, and to call on His name in our defeats. Faith can have a mighty impact in any situation we face in our lives.

Anyone would be wise to read that list in Hebrews over and over again. Seeing what others have done through faith helps us defeat our excuses for not having it. When we refuse to trust God with our finances, and giving him a little bit of our money is hard to us it is good to remember some gave their very lives to Him through faith (some still do). When we are grieved because of the offensive comment someone makes about Christians at work we should remember the faith of those who endured prison for their faith. When we must have faith not to shout at the person who cuts us off in traffic we must remember the faith of those who could even shut up the mouth of a lion.

Impossible things can be done through faith. In countries like America we aren’t threatened for our faith in the way those were and are in some places. That freedom came about because of the faith of those who founded the country, and that faith still has power today. Faith can do a lot of good, and can endure a lot of bad. It already has.