SO, WHERE IS OUR FAITH?
Tuesday – June 19, 2018, Tamuz 6, 5778
Welcome back to this faith building, victory giving, Bible Study from the Book of Hebrews. God is so good! My featured picture today is of Patti and I at a wonderful covered bridge in western Maine. I wonder if they have covered bridges in Heaven? Now, let us get back to our Bible Study by first reviewing our primary text reading it aloud.
Hebrews 11:32-34 (KJV)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
I am still asking the question that Jesus asked His disciples: “Where is your faith?” As we have been studying this chapter we have found that the only people commended by God were those who exercised faith in Him, in His Word. Unfortunately, there are many good things being done in the name of God, but many are not of God things, and therefore not of faith in God. These good things are not dependent upon God, may have the approval of the religious world and even the world, but are not being done at the instruction of God. No matter how good these works may be in our sight or the sight of others they are sin. The persons in verse thirty-two above and many others we have studied accomplished all by faith in God, and the faith of God. I mentioned yesterday how the righteous always dominate in the land (in Scripture) especially in the Old Testament. Why is that not as prominent in the New Testament? Why is that near absent today as we look around? Did God change? Did the Word of God change? Have the promises of God been watered down? No, no, and no, we are slack! Perhaps too much attention has been placed upon the manifestations of God and not the Word, God Himself.
Psalm 103:7 (KJV)
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
When our primary focus is upon us and our natural life with our spiritual life being a part of that rather than our focus on God, the Word of God, with our natural life flowing from that we are in grave danger. When Jesus, the Word of God, has a seat alongside our natural life we are a prime target for the devil’s deceptions. We see that repeatedly with the children of Israel. Moses, and Joshua, on the other hand sat in the presence of God learning about Him and fellowshipping with Him. Let us purpose in our hearts (minds) to know the ways of God, to fellowship with Him, to be more like Him, and the acts of God will be the outflow of that relationship. Many of the Judges and Kings of Israel restored righteousness in the land by tearing down the idols (other gods) and restoring worship of the one true God. We need righteousness restored in every pillar of society which includes the Church or religious pillar. We need leaders that preach it and demand it. We need leaders that identify the false gods among the people and tear them down in the sight of the people. Where is our faith? It must be in the Word of God and our uncompromising obedience to that Word.
Our primary Bible text tells us that these who have gone before obtained promises, how? by faith! Think of Abraham and the promise of a child, by faith the child of promise (Isaac) was born. As we know from our study, Abraham was not always a faith giant, but his faith developed as he walked with God and Isaac was born. Because of that faith the conditions and legal mechanisms were put in place for a Savior to be born. Verse thirty-three ends with a reference to the mouths of lions being stopped. Perhaps our minds have gone right to Daniel and the lions den. That testimony is of course a wonderful exercise of faith which brought supernatural results. If the result is not supernatural in some way, it probably was just us and not God. You will recall that an unrighteous decree was issued that for a period of time the only prayers to be offered were to be to the King. Daniel would not compromise and comply which landed him in the lion’s den. Look at the supernatural outcome when Daniel worshiped, and prayed to the only true God.
Daniel 6:21-23 (KJV)
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
I want to remind you that the Devil and his demonic hoards parade over the earth and swarm around us acting as lions.
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
If we react to the lies presented with fear our goose is cooked. Daniel’s goose was not cooked for He had faith in His God and therefore he was saved alive. Notice that Daniel remained submitted to the King during this whole episode. Had he reacted with offense, anger, resentment, and rebellion against the king Daniel would have been the lions lunch. I do not know about you, but I do not want to be lunch for the adversary. Where is our faith? It is in the true and living God, in the unfailing Word of God! Therein is the victory, the only way to victory! Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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