Building Faith (Day 3)
Faith’s Frontier
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Heb. 11:32-34
Have you recently read the full list of faith-filled patriarchs there in Hebrews Chapter 11? It's quite a list. The point ultimately for the writer of Hebrews is that faith was not measured by whether they received what they were hoping for. Some of them died not seeing the fulfillment like Abraham. But, he was really talking about them seeing Christ and the hope of complete redemption. You see now we have more than even the ancients had when it comes to confidence and boldness to not only worship God with intimacy but to believe God for Kingdom advancement – to be world-changing salt and light.
If you look at what Jesus was teaching, you will see over and over again that Jesus was very interested in seeing his disciples walk in faith. These disciples were surrounded by disease; they were surrounded by the constant threat of their lives; they made life-altering choices concerning their financial stability. These were men of incredible faith. But to whom was their faith directed? It was Jesus himself. And then Jesus said go to my father and ask him for what you will, and it will be done for you.
“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:24-27
What do you suppose that it takes to activate such confidence? Because I will admit this verse is quite intimidating. I have prayed many times and have not seen the immediate answer to my prayers. Does that mean I didn't have enough faith? It was Jesus who said, “oh you of little faith.” The truth is, yes, faithlessness is where you have to begin. We do not have enough faith. We have not exercised our faith. We have relied upon a world that supplies us instant gratification. We put more trust in God as our Shepherd than God as our miracle worker.
So, to prepare for the future, a future that seems to be very uncertain as it comes to the treatment of Christians, we must prepare beyond a certain retirement, beyond even a certain guarantee financial support. Will the church in the United States eventually go underground? Not anytime soon. Honestly, the idea of “going underground” will be a thing of the past with tracking systems that China uses now. Unless a mighty awakening and revival sweep across our nation. I'm not sure most people understand exactly what that will take. Because a mighty beast has been released, it is far more dangerous and wicked than most people know. We have a new frontier or wilderness. It will take a far different faith to walk through it.
But God has faced wicked regimes and nations before. God can wipe a nation off the face of the earth in a matter of minutes. Or, which might be better, he can silence the voice of the enemy. He already has. Why not now? Honestly, the problem is not the enemy, it is God’s people who are aiding and abetting him.
So what do we hope for? We hope that we will be those who rise up and fight every inch of the way with the weapons of our warfare that are not carnal but are mighty through God. We will be those who can identify with the ancient people of faith. How do we learn to use such weapons? Faith! Say to that mountain, be picked up, and be tossed into the sea.
Got some mountains? Let’s get speaking and tossing.
Grace and Peace,
David M. Schmaltz