LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:32-34, Well how much more do I need to say?  It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.  By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God has promised them.  They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength.  They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  (NLT)

 

Barak’s place in the Hall of Fame of Faith is somewhat of a mystery to me.  He is a reluctant contemporary of the prophetess Deborah during the time of the judges in Israel.  God commanded that ten thousand troops from the tribes of Israel were to fight against the chariots and multitude of men from Canaan.  Deborah told Barak to go and lead the troops.  He was willing but only if Deborah would go with him.  She did but told him God would not honor him when the victory was achieved; instead, a woman would be given the honor.  Israel would win the battle.  Canaan’s leader, Jael, fled, hid in the tent of Heber the Kenite where he was killed by Heber’s wife.  Read the full account in Judges 4. 

 

If Barak was a reluctant participant in this battle and seemingly had a lack of faith, why is he included in the HOFOF?  In this battle with the Canaanites, God certainly went before him and confused the Canaanite army.  The Canaanite army had 900 chariots and a multitude of soldiers which was superior to Barak’s 10,000 soldiers.  Was Barak weak and fearful about battle?  I do not think so; he was the leader of the military.  This not a position held by a weak person.  Yes, he was certainly wrong in placing faith in Deborah instead of the word from God that the Israel military would be victorious.  But when the fighting began, he was in the midst of the fight, leading his men and the pursuit of the fleeing Canaanite military.

 

Why was he included in the HOFOF?  Perhaps the answer lies in Judges 5 where he and Deborah sing praise to the Lord for the victory He gave them!  Read verse 3 where Barak gives praise to the Lord.  “Listen, you kings!  Pay attention, you mighty rulers!  For I will sing to the Lord.  I will lift up my song to the Lord, the God of Israel.”  Read the rest of their song and count the number of times Barak seeks and is given credit for the victory.  That does not happen.  No, Barak takes no credit for any of the victory; all praise and all honor is given the Lord.  Perhaps, Barak is not weak, but meek!  He did not seek medals to be pinned on him nor any credit at all.  If you read carefully the word he sang you will notice he stood before kings and rulers and gave all credit to “the Lord, the God of Israel”.

 

Barak made a mistake not placing his faith in the God who gives the victory.  Instead, he placed his confidence in Deborah.  How often do we place our faith in what a trusted friend thinks we should do?  Don’t misunderstand, we need to have friends who are willing to help us make important decisions.  Ultimately, we need to seek God!  Like Barak we need to speak about who has given us the victory.  It is important for you and me to recognize who gives us the victory and then be unashamed to speak it to others.  Barak was eventually honored by God for his faith; He was honored by having his name placed in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  You and I will receive honor for our faith, for walking on the narrow way when we step in to heaven and hear our Lord say, “Well done, My faithful servant!”  Oh, what a moment that will be!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:32-34, Well how much more do I need to say?  It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.  By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God has promised them.  They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength.  They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  (NLT)

 

The writer of Hebrews stops writing about what these members of the Hall of Fame of Faith had specifically done to become members. It is worth taking time to find out what individuals mentioned have done to gain entrance to this place of honor.  In the list above the first four men mentioned are from the time “when there was no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes”; this was when judges ruled Israel.  Other men mentioned lived and showed their faith in instances where God used them in a mighty way.  There are some unnamed men mentioned as well that we will look at.  The person we will look at specifically is in bold print.

 

Before we continue, it is important to know that these men were imperfect.  However, God looked into their heart and saw the faith (even if it was very small) He could use to fulfill His purpose(s).  Keep that in mind as you read about these individuals and reflect back on those already written about and be encouraged that God still looks for a little bit of faith in you and me to be used for His glory.

 

Gideon’s story is found in Judges 6-8.  The people of Israel did evil in the sight of God by conforming to the ways of the Midianite people.  David Jeremiah states that evil done by the Israelites can be summed up with the three words – “Infidelity, idolatry, and intermarriage”.  God chose a young man that was threshing wheat to be the leader of Israel’s army.  God called him a “mighty man of valor” and told him that He would be with Him as he delivered God’s people.  “All those who earnestly seek to serve God can depend on the active presence of God with them” (LSSB).  That is a promise made by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 28:19-20.

 

Through a series of events Gideon was equipped him to serve God and His people; he was ready to accomplish what God had for him to do.  His army of 32,000 was ready for battle.  But first, God reduced the number down to 300.  Why would He do that?  The words of the prophet Zechariah explain the reason very well. “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6).  Gideon needed to understand that it was not the strength found in numbers but God’s presence with him that assured him of victory. That is a great teaching for you and me – our ultimate resource and strength against all challenges of life is found in God alone.  “When we do things in their own strength get human sized results!” (DJSB).  God wants you and me to work through every circumstance we face in faith in Him and His leading.

 

Just to give Gideon that extra encouragement that would strengthen his faith, God told him to sneak into the Midianite camp.  There he overheard the one of the Midianites tell another of a dream he had regarding the defeat of the Midianite army.  Gideon returned to his camp strengthened and ready to accomplish God’s work.  There are those times when we are serving God that we just need a little encouragement from Him.  I have found times when I get a note from someone that greatly encourage me; it always seems to be at the time I need it most.  God knows when a word or a note of encouragement is needed by each of us.

 

The takeaway from Gideon is that God can use even just a little bit of faith in someone to serve His purpose.  He might reduce your strength (from 32,000 men to 300) so you have to rely on Him.  In doing so, you might just accomplish what seemed impossible.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:31, It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God.  For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.  (NLT)

 

You read this correctly – a prostitute living in Jericho named Rahab is found in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  Read the events that led to this in Joshua 2.  Joshua had sent two spies to Jericho where they went to Rahab’s house.  Joshua 2: 15 states that her house was on the wall of Jericho.  This might seem strange; but, remember the Lord is involved in this and led the two spies to her house.  It was probably common for foreigner to lodge there and gave them the ability to blend in there (DJSB).  Because of this the spies had opportunity to gain information about Jericho without drawing a lot of suspicion to themselves.  The account tells how Rahab protected the spies by hiding them and helping them escape.  She did so with the promise she would be protected when they took the city.

 

Rahab is the focus because she is included in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  The question is why God honored her.  She was a sinful woman from a pagan background and she lied openly to those who came looking for the spies.  Read the verse above again.  Do you see any mention of her life or her lies?  No, you see only her faith is mentioned.  Rahab abandoned her background and recognized the God of Israel as the true God of heaven and earth.  She placed her faith in Him by joining with the Israelites.  In doing so, God spared her life when the walls came down.

 

Let me say this before more is written.  Rahab lied.  She “must not be judged for all this was shortly before her conversion” JSESB).  “From a biblical perspective, Rahab’s lie by no means condones lying.  As we read the Bible, we must distinguish between what God condones and what He records.  In this case God records the lie because He is truth, not because He is commending Rahab’s action.” (DJSB).  Read Matthew 1:5-6.  Surprise!  Rahab would become an ancestor to the Lord Jesus Christ!  Rahab shows us that any person who comes to the Lord in faith, regardless of what their past looks like, can find salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ.

 

So here is the takeaway for today.  Rahab is not remembered for being a prostitute nor for lying to those who came looking for the spies.  None of this received approval from God!  God did not need to rely on a lie to save the two men sent to Jericho.  She is remembered for the faith she showed in the God of heaven and earth who was able to save her from the ungodly circumstances she was in.  So, when you wonder if God can use you because of the sins in your past or even those you have committed today, remember Rahab.  I wonder if the description of Rahab being a prostitute is not a reminder for you and me that there is forgiveness when we come to the Lord in faith and that He does forgive.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:30, It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days and the walls came crashing down. (NLT)

 

Jericho was a city that covered about eight acres of land.  It was a fortress city not just for its residents, but also for the inhabitants of the countryside around it.  The walls have been estimated to be thirty feet high and twenty feet thick.  Jericho was considered to be invincible and protected by the gods of the Canaanites.  The capture of Jericho was the key to Joshua’s war strategy because it would demonstrate that Israel’s God was superior to the gods of the Canaanites.  Joshua’s success was certain because he followed God’s plan. (LSSB).

 

In Joshua 6:2, the Lord tells Joshua that He has given to him the city of Jericho, the king and all the mighty men of the city.  This chapter in Joshua records God’s strategy for defeating the city; Joshua was to take Israel’s men of war and walk around the city each day for six days without making a sound.  On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times.  On the seventh time, when the trumpet sounded, the people were to shout a great shout and the walls would fall down. 

 

Joshua 6:17-18, tells us that Jericho was a doomed city, that it was doomed by the Lord.  Not only was the city doomed but so were all its inhabitants (except for Rahab, who we will write about tomorrow).  The people of Jericho were evil and lived unrighteous lives; God was going to destroy them along with the city.  The people of Israel were instructed by God to take only silver and gold, vessels of brass and iron that were consecrated to the Lord.  These items were to be put in the treasury of the Lord.

 

Joshua and the people did according to God’s plan and the walls fell down flat and they took the city.  The Bible does not record any casualties among the Israelites.  They followed the Lord’s instructions (JSESB).  There are a lot of speculation about what happened to the walls.  I will leave it up to you to research that if you are curious.  The city was not rebuilt for several hundred years and very little remains of the destroyed city have been found.  The city is mentioned again when Jesus healed two blind men there and also when Jesus walked through Jericho and ate at Zacchaeus’ home.

 

You and I are to live by faith; that is the encouragement found in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  When we face “the walls of Jericho” we can enter the battle in confidence because our faith is centered in the promises of God.  That is what the Israelites did for seven days as they walked around the circumstance (Jericho) they faced.  You and I can face enormous walls that certainly test our faith because they are impossible to break down by human ability.  The answer is to put our confidence in what God promises in His Word.  Do what He says, and watch Him break the walls down.  That might mean doing something crazy like walking around a fortress for seven days and shouting to bring down the walls. 

 

I am so thankful that God goes before us, fights for us, and brings us HIS victory. Let me end with the encouraging words God spoke to Joshua.  They encourage us to walk in the narrow way! “Be strong and very courageous.  Obey all the laws Moses gave you.  Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.  Study this book of the Law continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it.  Only then will you succeed. I command you – be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (NLT)

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:29, It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians followed, they were all drowned. (NLT)

 

Moses has led the Hebrews out of Egypt.  Pharaoh has given his consent for them to leave; he has been broken by the plagues and the death of his son.  But God once again hardens his heart and he regrets that decision.  He gives chase and finds the Hebrews camped by the Red Sea.  (The account is found in Exodus 14.)  Imagine for a moment that you are in that Hebrew encampment and see Pharaoh and his chariots, horsemen and army coming toward you.  But you have nowhere to go because on the opposite side you have the Red Sea.  Many scholars would have you believe that the Red Sea at this point was not very deep and could easily be crossed.  My thought is even if that were true, the sea floor would present serious difficulties in crossing it.

 

Read Moses’s words to them, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again.  The Lord Himself will fight for you.  You won’t have to lift a finger in your defense.” (Exodus 14:13-14, NLT).  Here is an encouraging word for each of us.  God assured these people that He would fight for them but they would have to show their faith by moving toward the Red Sea.  God fights for His people – that would include you and me – as we walk in faith (on the narrow way) and live obediently to His Word. 

 

We live in a time of tremendous uncertainty.  The news is full of stuff that may cause us to worry about finances, variants of covid-19, masks or no masks, fear the unvaccinated, China, North Korea, Russia, inflation.  Do I need to go on?  God led the Hebrews to the Red Sea.  He hardened Pharaoh’s heart to chase after them.  God provided a way of escape and His plan was accomplished.  Like the Hebrews of this day, God leads His people; life can be difficult because God still allows His people to face difficulties.  I read a statement that said the God who led us into a difficult situation is also capable of leading us out.  I must remind me that God is always in control of every situation; that is what the events at the Red Sea is about.  But you and I must take the step first step in faith to see that the ground is dry even when the sea is raging on each side of us.

 

Just a few more observations.  God has you and me where we are right now to fulfill His purpose(s).  I have heard that we face one of three situations.  We have just gone through a difficulty or are going through some difficulty or you are about to go through a difficulty.  I believe that to be true.  When you are going through a difficult situation acknowledge the enemy; but keep your eyes on God!  Your confidence, your faith must not waver if God does not act on your behalf right away.  It has been said God is never late – trust Him that He is working for the best out come for you and that He receives glory during the process.  The Red Sea demonstrates that even in the most challenging of circumstances, God promises to make a way out of the situation.

 

Whatever you are facing today, place your faith in God providing the answer.  When you have gone through a difficulty praise Him and thank Him for your provision.  The Hebrews got on the other side of the Red Sea and saw the destruction of the Egyptian chariots and army and quickly sang praises to the one who brought them through this situation.  For the moment their faith was increased.  May your faith grow in God for His faithfulness to you.

 LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:24, It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  (NLT)

 

Hebrews 11:27, It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt.  He was not afraid of the king.  Moses kept right on going because he kept his eye on the one who is invisible.  (NLT)

 

Hebrews 11:28, It was by faith that Moses commanded the people to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.  (NLT)

 

Moses has more verses written about him in the Hall of Fame of Faith than any other individual; he is mentioned ten times in the book of Hebrews.    Go back and read verses 24- 29 in order to get the full impact of Moses; better yet go back to the beginning of Exodus and read what is found there regarding the life of Moses.

 

Moses could have lived the life of luxury and all the temptations that go along with power, prestige, and popularity.  But he refused the opportunity to become Pharaoh, choosing instead to believe God, embrace his faith and Hebrew heritage (DJSB).  Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible from now on JSESB) states, “Moses traded the temporal for the eternal.”

 

 Let me add comments about what we choose to do.  You and I still choose every day who we are going to follow; choices about walking on the narrow way or on the broad way.  Hebrews 11:25 states Moses chose “to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (NLT).  Every day the choice is to walk as a Christ desires us to walk (the narrow wat that leads to His kingdom for eternity) or to follow the ways of the world in the temporary pleasures of sin (the broad way that leads to destruction and eternal punishment in hell).  Notice the eternal consequences for our choices!  Moses chose the narrow way because he was a man with spiritual values (v.26) and he was a man with spiritual vision (v.27) (LSSB). That is the faith you and I need to live with each day as we make choices regarding the narrow or broad way to walk on.

 

Let Romans 12:1-2 be the take away today, “And so dear Christian friend, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will accept.  When you think of what He has done for you, is that too much to ask?  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” (NLT).  Our greatest desire should be to live our lives in holy worship and devotion to God.  You do so in everything you do; let your work and what you choose to do glorify God.  We choose to walk on the narrow way and not the broad way by resisting all the world has to offer because it is built on ungodly values and on human wisdom not God’s biblical pattern.  Notice that when we do, God transforms us from within!

 

I encourage each of you to be God’s light in this dark world, to resist temptation or give in to any form of worldliness (even in the church).  Allow God to transform you by renewing your mind so that your vision, values and plans are according to God’s eternal truth.  If you do, you walk and stay on the narrow way that leads to eternal life in the kingdom of God.  Your choice!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:23, It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months.  They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were afraid of what the king might do. (NLT)

 

Exodus 1:22, Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw all the newborn Israelite boys into the Nile River.  But you may spare the baby girls.” (NLT).  The Hebrew population was increasing to great numbers and the Pharaoh of Egypt no longer remembered or even knew who Joseph was.  His fear was that the Hebrews would revolt and take over the country.  To prevent this, he decided to do several things.  He worked the people to the point of exhaustion and he commanded the midwives to kill all the male babies when they were born.

 

The account of Moses is found in Exodus.  When he was born, his parents saw that he was “favored” or an “unusual child”.   The midwives feared God more than Pharoah and were not killing male babies saying the Hebrew women were giving birth before they could get there to help deliver.  God spared many deaths this way – including Moses.  His parents hid him for three months before they built a basket (an ark) and sent him down the Nile River to be found by the daughter of Pharoah.  Think this through and understand the act of faith that occurred here.

 

The concern for a child should be every parent’s concern.  Moses’ parents saw that he was favored or special and sought to protect him.  No doubt their own safety was a concern but never considered it when protecting their child.  Their faith was greater than their fear.  Pharoah’s command was evil and they were willing to do all that was necessary to preserve Moses’ life.  Did they know what God’s purpose for their baby boy was? No, not specifically; but they sensed God had a plan for him!  They did not know that God would use him to lead His people out of Egypt to the Promised Land.  They only knew that he was “an unusual child” and they were to protect him. That is why the parents of Moses are in the Hall of Fame of Faith!  There is something special about Godly parents (and grandparents) who pray for their children (and grandchildren)!

 

There is great courage and boldness when one is walking in faith.  As we move closer and closer to the end of days, you and I might need to be reminded of the faith of Moses’ parents; actually, I would include all in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  That is not a statement to cause you to fear – it is to encourage you to stand in your faith and know God has all things under His control!  I have written many times that He knows everything about your circumstances and situation as well as everything happening in the world round us.  He wants us to stand in your faith and believe in Him. He is faithful!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:20-22, It was by faith that Isaac blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau.  He had confidence in what God was going to do in the future.  It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. And it was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, confidently spoke of God’s bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt.  He was so sure of it that he commanded them to carry his bones with them when they left.  (NLT)

 

Ray Stedman has written, “The thought of a faith still trusting in the very face of death leads the writer [of Hebrews] to focus on Abraham’s descendants – Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.  They see their own deaths and yet look beyond with unwavering faith.  The point about all three is that they clearly saw aspects of the future because they exercised faith in what was invisible at the present.”  The faith of these men is examined together because they were facing death but did not believe or accept death as the end.  There belief anticipated future blessings of God.  David Jeremiah has written, “When believers have nothing of heir own strength left to give at the end, God calls them to hope in Him and to bless those who are coming after them.” (DJSB).

 

Yesterday Abraham faith was exercised when God told him to sacrifice Isaac; I have to believe Isaac had to maintain his faith when Abraham bound him on the wood for the burnt offering.  Isaac remained strong in his faith throughout his life.  His wife Rebekah was barren; because Isaac prayed diligently for her to conceive God answered his prayer and Jacob and Esau were born. He blessed both of them as he was dying. Yes, there was deception involved but the concept to understand is the blessing to come.

 

Jacob deceived his father to give him the blessing that Esau, as the first born, should have received.  Jacob knew the importance of the blessing but did not trust God to work this out in His own way.  Deception – but he still ends up in the Hall of Fame of Faith.  Jacob desired the promises of God and his life after he deceived Isaac show that God did bless him.  When facing death, Jacob held to the promises of God and blessed each of his grandsons. 

 

Joseph was a faithful individual!  His brothers sold him into slavery.  He was falsely accused by an Egyptian leader’s wife and placed in prison.  But he never forgot who he was and he followed the God who was able to fulfill His promise to him.  The situation and circumstances did not determine who he was.  Again, we turn to the end of his days and see that he focused on what was ahead.  He could have focused on his wealth and position in Egypt’s government; he focused on the promise of a kingdom to come.

 

Here is the take away.  The Expositor’s Bible Commentary states, “With all three the significant thing was their firm conviction that death cannot frustrate God’s purposes.  Their faith was such that they were sure God would work His will.”  Today’s word is not about our death; it is about God working His will in the future.  All of us face death unless the rapture occurs first.  Regardless, God is going to work His plan even if He has not done so as we face death.  That is why it is so important to pray for your children (even when grown) and for your grandchildren.  They must know who they are in Christ in order to face what lies ahead.   I want my faith in God doing what He has said He will do to be the faith of my family if I am already in Heaven with the Lord! 

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:17, It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. (NLT)

 

Abraham has had a lot of decisions to make.  Like us he did not always make the right choice.  But God never threw up His hands and said, “That’s it, I give up on him.  He just does not have the ability to live like I want him to.”  God did not give up on Abraham; He does not give up on you and me.  I can testify that God does not give up on us!  Yet, we have to notice in this verse that God was testing Abraham – again. 

 

Abraham got up and left his country when God told him to do so.  He believed God that he would have a son at an old age.  Now, He told Abraham to sacrifice the promised son on an altar.  The account of this is found in Genesis 22:1-8.  Go back and read it carefully.  David Jeremiah has said, “Satan tempts people to bring out the worst; God tests people to bring out the best.”  James wrote in his letter to Jewish Christians that were scattered, “For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” (NLT).  When tested, we are not required to resign ourselves to whatever happens.  No!  Instead, we should have a strong determination to walk on the narrow way as we go through the difficult circumstances.  Now, I don’t jump up and down when difficult circumstances come and think that another opportunity to grow closer to the Lord is here for me.  I do try to face the trial with confidence that the Lord is going to walk with me (probably carry me as in the story Footsteps in the Sand) as I go through the trial.

 

Once again, Abraham obeyed without hesitation, even though it meant losing his only son.  But to understand this, it is important to read the next few verses in Hebrews 11.  Abraham was willing to be obedient because he “assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.”  We have to think back to God’s covenant with Abraham where He made promises to him that included Isaac.  Therefore, Abraham was obedient because He knew God would keep His promises and in order to do that Isaac would have to be brought back from the dead.  That is faith!  That is faith that God will do what He has promised He will do.

 

God is not asking any of us to sacrifice our children.  He is telling us to place our children into His hands and believe He knows what is best for them.  The Bible does not say Abraham prayed for Isaac every day; I bet he did.  I believe he prayed for Isaac to grow up to follow God.  I pray every day for my family to have a hunger and a thirst for God’s righteousness and to walk the narrow way that leads to His kingdom and eternal life.  Every day!  In that prayer, I include each person that reads this blog.

 

What is God desiring that you sacrifice on an altar to Him?  What does He want you to do differently in your life that will bring you into a closer relationship with Him?  There are examples I might be able to give you but God is already nudging you.  Do you trust Him to walk with you as you go through the sacrifice.?  Is your faith helping you believe you will be stronger in your faith as a result of being obedient to Him?  I encourage you to be obedient to God who is able to do all things and see what He does because of your obedience. 

 

I know I am not to add something new in the conclusion but…. Don’t forget that in response to Abraham’s obedience God provided a lamb to take Isaac’s place in this sacrifice.  Let that sink in today!  I just think someone needs to know that.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:13, All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God.  (NLT)

 

In the middle of describing the Hall of Fame of Faith the Holy spirit leads the writer of Hebrews to make the statement above.  Go back and read the promises made to the individuals written about.  There were several types of promises made – some pertained were related to what could be immediately seen.  Abraham and Sarah were promised a son and a land where they would live for example.  But other promises were made that would happen into the future.  They were promises they would only see by faith; their belief in God’s faithfulness enabled them to know God had something better in mind for them.  They believed He would do what He promised even when it was not accomplished in their lifetime.

 

As believers today, we must persevere in faith and trust God, even when we do not see all the promises of God being fulfilled in our lifetime.  We need to surrender or give back to God the promises He has made.  Why?  I have come to believe we get in the way of God working by trying to help Him fulfill His promises.  We pray for something believing we know how it should be answered.  We pray for the direction we want in our lives instead of asking God to show His will for our lives.  We just need to surrender to God’s will, His plan for our lives, and trust Him to bring it about.

 

Faith is really interesting.  There are many things we believe in but do not see.  The other afternoon, I sat out side and felt the wind; I never did see it.  I saw its effects as the trees moved and I felt a little relief from the heat.  But I never saw it.  It is the same with God.  I believe His word because I have seen the effect of it.  I have felt God’s presence when I have needed comfort and His power and protection when I have need that.  I have seen the effects of God, but never seen Him.  “That is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” (Hebrews 11:1 from the New Living Translation).

 

Walking by faith will bring times when your faith will be tested; no one is exempt. Let me end today with some encouragement.  James wrote in his letter to the scattered Jewish Christians, “… whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (NLT).  “Temptation refers to some form of difficulty or pressure in our lives – and it can come from worldly things or from Satan – that God uses it to try our faith and develop in us perseverance and godly character, so we may be ‘strong in character and ready for anything’.” (LSSB and the NLT).  I don’t like the trials but they do help us to reach the spiritual maturity we need to walk in this evil world.  God brings them to test the sincerity of our faith; they are not an indication that He is unhappy with us.  When the testing of your faith comes face them with joy as James tells us.

 

Those who honor God by walking in faith, by walking on the narrow way, and by desiring a better place, a heavenly place (Hebrews 11:16), “God will not be ashamed to call Himself their God” (v. 16). 

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:11, It was by faith that Sarah together with Abraham was able to have a child, even though they were too old and Sarah was barren.  Abraham (Sarah) believed that God would keep His promise.  And so a whole nation came from one man, Abraham, who was too old to have any children – a nation with so many people that, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.  (NLT)

 

Before I go forward, it is important to note that other translations say that Sarah trusted God to keep his promise instead of Abraham.

 

It was not good for a woman to be barren in Old Testament times; it was considered worse than death.  She laughed at God’s promise to give her a child.  To make matters worse, she lied about laughing.  You find this account in Genesis 18:10-15.  Before this she tried to solve her problem of being barren by giving her maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham as a wife in order to conceive and fulfill this promise.  Genesis 16.  But here she is in the Hall of Fame of Faith! She believed that God was faithful to do what He had said.  Just because she did not understand how, she remained faithful in her trust in God.  At age 90, she gave birth to a son – Isaac. 

 

Sarah laughed within herself about the possibility that she could conceive at her age.  Physically it was impossible since she was passed child-bearing age.  But something changed for her and she had to simply trust that God would do what He said.  What else but faith could have helped her change her mind and conceive?  We need to include the faith of Abraham in this as well.

 

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  Faith comes from hearing (or reading) God’s Word.   In Genesis 17:17, Abraham fell on his face and laughed when God spoke to him about Sarah having a child.  When Sarah laughed, God asked them, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”  They both needed to be reminded that God was all-powerful; at God’s reminder their faith became stronger than their unbelief.

 

Sarah’s faith was not always that strong.  Can any of us put ourselves in that same position.  We know that God can do all things.  But that knowledge often translates to others and not for ourselves.  It is so important that we are in God’s Word daily.  Again, I urge you not to be reading to check off a box on a to do list.  Read and study to know who God is.  I believe that is His desire for each of us because that is when our faith becomes stronger than our unbelief.  That is when we can pray in Jesus’ name because we pray like Him and allow our faith to believe beyond the natural realm of things, beyond our senses and comprehension.  It is believing God will do what He has said and rewards those who diligently seek Him!  That is the faith that I want to live by.  I am going to seek God and believe Him for each day because He has today and tomorrow in His hands.  There is no other place I would rather be!