Faith depends on what we know about God. We acquire this knowledge from personal relationships with God without which our perceived knowledge will not help us to be grounded in him.
Our Fathers went through similar encounters but were positive and in believing the word which they received, hence they enhanced their faith in God. By that faith, they were ready to lose their lives for whom they have believed as true. They died still holding on to the faith. Paul said in Romans 10: 14 how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? We must affirm our faith based on our true knowledge of God.
What disturbs our faith in God?
Paul recounted some of the events that could disturb our faith in God. He said in Romans 8: 35-39 who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”… For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul’s list is by no means exhaustive. Paul said nothing in creation should take precedence over our truth in God. Paul’s faith was based on his appreciation of God’s love for him through Christ Jesus of which he described himself as the chief sinner. He wrote in 1 Timothy 1: 15, gospel is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the foremost. Paul’s knowledge of God made him fearless of death nor any powers nor hardship of any kind or anything else. Fear has been our greatest enemy of our faith when we doubt God.
How Did Paul exercise faith?
Paul said in Galatians 2: 19-20 for through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. According to Paul, he lives for Christ Jesus whether in life or death because of his knowledge about Christ Jesus.
Paul considered himself dead in the flesh but only alive in Christ. He therefore lived not for the dead but the one through whom he was living and in whom his faith rested. Paul did not want to die twice in the flesh and soul hence he wanted Christ who lived in him to continue to give him life whilst he remained obedient to him. He had tasted God’s love through Christ Jesus and would not let it go of him.
Paul said further in Galatians 5: 24, those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and desires. These are things that attract us away from putting God first in any situation. Our fathers put God first in every circumstance and thereby maintained unshakable faith till the end. Paul’s thirst for worldly passions or desires was quenched by his crucifixion with the blood of Christ Jesus. So, how did our fathers also exercise faith in God?
They showed honest appreciation
The faith of our fathers was based on an honest appreciation of what God did for them and in the days of Christ Jesus, through Christ Jesus. Although exercising the faith of our fathers in this era may sound foolish in the eyes of many, we must not shudder at all. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3: 19 for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” He said further in Romans 1: 16, for I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Are we shy to show appreciation in God in the open for fear of criticism?
They waited in patience
Micah said in Micah 7: 7, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. We are too impatient at times with God but Micah did what was wise, exercised patience and allowed God to fashion his plan for his life. The faith of our fathers was also built on patience and waiting on God. We are not patient because we think waiting is foolish. We must always wait patiently for God’s answer because they knew God was wiser. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1: 25, God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. The bible says in Job 14: 14, I will wait until my release should come. Hosea 12: 6 says wait continually for your God in love and justice. Are we patient with God in all circumstances?
They sought God’s choice
The faith of our fathers was built on God’s choice. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1: 27-29 but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. They did not discount anything as unworthy but that God could use anything to achieve his purpose and pleasure to his glory and honour. Joshua 24: 24 says “The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” Faith is based on accepting God’s choice.
They maintained scripture
They did not want to lose what they had so they kept scripture. Paul said in Galatians 3: 3, are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, you are now ending with the flesh? Our faith will wobble without the foundation of scripture. The bible says in Deuteronomy 5: 32-33; 12: 8; Joshua 1: 8, you must therefore be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn to the right or to the left. It was not much of the promise for obedience but the faithfulness to their Master, God. In order to keep scripture, we need God’s Spirit in us. God said in Ezekiel 36: 27, I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. God is asking us today, do we keep scripture or we pick and choose what suits us?
They knew the fruits of faith
The bible says in Romans 4: 5 to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. It is also written in Hebrews 11: 6, without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Whoever wants faith must believe in God in righteousness which is a step of faith. It is written in James 2: 26, for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead. Our fathers knew the fruits of faith. Do we also know the fruits of faith?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, though our faith sometimes shakes, it is nevertheless founded in you. Let the knowledge from our fathers be our guide to grow our faith in you. Teach us never to give up in troubled times because of your Holy Spirit but to focus on you always. Let your mercy and grace through the Holy Spirit be our strength. Thank you for an answered prayer in your holy name, Amen!!
