Learning From the Scriptures to be Faithful

     I discovered something interesting while studying for our topic of “pursuing faith." The word ‘faith’ is used 245 times in the Bible, and only 2 of those uses are found in the Old Testament - Deuteronomy 32:21 and Habakkuk 2:4.

    While the word ‘faith’ is not mentioned in the Old Covenant as much as in the New Covenant, what you find within those 39 books is example after example of people who exhibited their faith through their actions! Just as the first century Christians (who did not have a complete Bible as we do now) were encouraged to learn from “the Scriptures” (Old Testament), so can we (see Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-11). We can learn how to be faithful by observing the men and women who lived right before God in the Old Testament.

    Noah had never seen or heard of “rain" before God’s warning, let alone a flood of rain, yet he heeded the warning and built the ark according to God’s exact instructions in anticipation of the day God’s word would be fulfilled (Genesis 6-7, Hebrews 11:7).

     Are you willing to follow God’s exact instructions in anticipation of the day God’s word is fulfilled? (Hebrews 11:6, Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Peter 3:10-13)

     Abraham was 100 years old when God blessed Sarah (who was 90 years old) with a child – the son God had promised him beforehand. Some years later God tested Abraham’s faithfulness by requesting that he sacrifice his son. Abraham’s faith was strong to the point of believing that in following through with this sacrifice God would restore his son to him. God saw Abraham’s faith and stayed his hand before the sacrifice happened and provided a ram to sacrifice instead (Genesis 22:1-19, Hebrews 11:17-19).

    Hannah desired a child, a son. She suffered constant provocation from her husband’s other wife, Peninah, who had children causing Hannah to lose her appetite and give in to weeping. Hannah turned to God and promised Him that if He saw fit to bless her with a child that she would give that child back to Him, to serve God all his days. God did see fit to bless Hannah and she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1). Instead of returning to sadness in giving up her son, Hannah turned to prayer and praise for God granting her petition (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and because of her faith and faithfulness, God blessed Hannah with five more children (1 Samuel 2:18-21).

     Are you willing to sacrifice whatever it takes (desire for more money, unscriptural marriage, sin, lust, etc.) to remain faithful to God?  (1 Timothy 6:7-10, Matthew 19:9, Ephesians 4:20-24, Hebrews 12:1-2) 

    David was chosen by God and anointed as king over Israel, while King Saul was still serving in that capacity. For 14 years David ran for his life, being pursued by King Saul and suffering many hardships because of him. Through this whole time we find David’s faith in God remains strong – some of David’s most encouraging psalms were written during this time period! David’s declarations of faith help us in our walk even today! See 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and the book of Psalms.

    Job lost all ten of his children, all his property/livestock, and the majority of his servants all on one day. He soon lost his health as well, finding himself covered in painful boils. His wife in her sorrow, only encouraged him to give up, curse God and die (Job 2:9) and his friends were only a comfort to him when they sat silent (Job 2:13, 16:2). Yet “in all this Job did not curse, not charge God with wrong” (Job 1:22) and after God brought him through his sufferings and helped Job realize His strength and power, “the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:1-17).      

    Are you able to remain faithful to God through hardships of health and difficulties with others? Do you trust Him enough to allow your faith to flourish through trials? (Psalm 34:17-19; 119:67, 1 Peter 5:6-11)

    It is said of Abraham (and could be said of each of the people mentioned) that “…after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15).

    Are you willing to patiently endure through whatever sacrifice you need to make, allowing yourself to become even more faithful, even more resolute in your trust, and keep your faith until the very end (1 Peter 1:6-9)?

You can do it! So can I!!