THE GIFT OF FAITH

Last night I opened my bible and found myself at Hebrews 11. I’ve read and heard this taught on many times, “The Heroes of Faith” chapter.

Verse 6: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

How can we obtain this necessary faith? I believe it is a gift from God.

Verse7A: By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.

Noah lived in a world so wicked, God determined to destroy everyone but Noah and his family. It had never rained on the earth before, but Noah believed that there would come a flood and built the ark as God directed. How could he have had such faith?

God takes our spark of faith, weak though it may be,  and grows it.

Matthew 12:20: A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.

Hebrews 11:11: And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Beginning in Genesis16, we read that both Abraham and Sarah laughed when God said they would have children in their old age. They even used another woman, Hagar, to bear a son to Abraham, because they didn’t believe at first that God would fulfill his promise. But in this chapter, they are counted among the heroes of faith because God gifted their spark of faith and increased it.

In Psalm 51, David begged for forgiveness, and expressed faith that God would restore him: Verses 11-12: Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Thank you, Lord, for honoring our attempts at faith and growing us stronger.

by guest author Kathy McKinsey

To leave a comment, please click on the title above, THE GIFT OF FAITH, and scroll down.  Thank you!  🙂

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Sherry Shindelar
Sherry Shindelar
3 years ago

Kathy,
I really appreciated the reminder that we don’t have to be perfect or have it all together and that God can take our little spark and transform it into steadfast faith that endures. I really like your examples about Abraham, Sarah, and David.

Patti Shene
3 years ago

Kathy, I feel that I am always striving to strengthen my faith, which is often weak. This post is a reminder of the great heroes of the faith and their unwavering belief that God would fulfill his promises. Thank you for the reminder!

Amre, thank you for hosting Kathy today.

Mary Pat Johns
3 years ago

Appreciate the reminder, Kathy. I was studying in Hebrews this past week as well.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

Kathy, I never before saw how God took Abraham and Sarah from disbelief into faith.

Thank you!

Kathy McKinsey
3 years ago

Thank you, Amre!:)

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