We can’t live the Christian life apart from faith, for the Bible says clearly and plainly that we live by faith. The just shall live by faith. Lord Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” The writer of Hebrews says, “Apart from faith it is impossible to please God.”

So, we need not only to possess faith; we need a faith that possesses us.

We have tried to believe, tried to trust and faith seems to fail. We’re ready just to throw in the towel, and say, “What’s the use? It’s not working.” Have you ever been there? There are times where the answer doesn’t come exactly as we think that it ought. Sometimes trials, temptations, tribulations, heartaches, tears, fears – they come, and faith doesn’t seem to remove them.

The main reason Chapter 11 of Hebrews is written is because there were some who were ready to throw in the towel and were walking or running away. There were some who were ready to hang it up. They had been serving the Lord and there was great persecution.

In Hebrews 11: 32-40 we read, “And what shall I more say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; and of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets [now listen to this], Who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought 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, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies

And others had a trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment; They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, 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 in mountains, and in dens and cave of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.”  Some escaped by faith, some endured by faith. All had faith, but sometimes it seems like faith seems to fail.

Many people have a superficial faith and a superstitious faith rather than a strong faith and a spiritual faith.

Hebrews ! Verse 1: “Now faith is the reality {substance} of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen”.

We need this reality {substance} to grip us, for the prize of holding onto faith is greater than giving up, in the face of fear.

God Bless

OFJ