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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FAITHFULNESS (10/07/21)
Faithful Witnesses

We all know that “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen,” (Hebrew 11:1). Hebrews chapter eleven lists many examples of God’s people’s faithfulness to the Lord our God. Just like our past ancestors had faith, we must have faith. “For it is impossible to please God without faith; For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,” (Hebrews 11:6). “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised,” (Hebrews 11:11). “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” (Hebrew 11:17). Abraham’s faith was remarkable and astonishing. Instead of turning against God and not bringing Isaac, his only child, as a sacrifice, he had faith that God would provide the sacrifice. “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7). “And Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering so they went both of them together,” (Genesis 22:8). Because of Abraham’s steadfast faith, God did provide a sacrifice other than Isaac. God sent an angel to stop Abraham form sacrificing his only son (Genesis 22:11). “And he said, lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only begotten son from me,” (Genesis 22:12). “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son,” (Genesis 22:13).

Just like with Abraham, God will be faithful in our lives and provide a ram in the bush, when we give our everything to him. What would some of us do in the same situation? Would we humbly obey God’s request or would we question God’s will and authority? Abraham humbly obeyed God. Not once did he question God’s will or his authority. Can we have faith like Abraham had in God our Father? After all, God had promised him he would be a Father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Just like God provided a sacrifice for Abraham. God has provided Jesus, his only begotten son as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).

Another example of faithfulness in the bible is that of Ruth. Ruth was faithful to her mother-in-law Naomi in that she would not let her mother-in-law journey alone back to Judah (Ruth 1:7). “…and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her,” (Ruth 1:14). Ruth promised to stay by Naomi’s side and adopt Naomi’s people as her people and her God as her own God (Ruth 1:16). Ruth faithfully invited our God into her life without question or without doubt. As a result, of Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi and to God, God rewarded her by making her a wife, to her deceased husband’s wealthy kinsmen, Boaz (Ruth 4:10).

A final instance of faithfulness, I would like to discuss, occurs in Mark chapter six. The crowd that was following Jesus had great faith that Jesus could heal the sick. “ And withersoever, he entered into villages or cities or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment and as many as touched him were made whole,” (Mark 6:56). To believe that by one touch one can be healed is evidence of great faith. These people diligently sought the Lord and were rewarded. “Faith worketh by love,” (Galatians 5:6). Walking in love is faith in action. These followers of Christ in Mark chapter six, were walking in love and putting their faith into action. We must follow their example and do the same. We must become faithful witnesses of Christ
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Philippa Geaney
10/14/21
Your article would go well in a devotional. I read it as encouraging, urging us on. And sound.
I wonder if your word count allowed could you end the discourse with the ‘how to’ have faith. For years I would grit my teeth and try to grow the faith of our Scriptural heroes- and felt so deeply deficient. I needed a devotional like yours but also the assurance that in His faithfulness it was not a burden of work. I could leave the need of faith with Him, turn and fall in love with His loveliness. I need to do this daily. My faith/ faithfulness grows from hearing His Word in His Presence.. I believe your article would set hearts on fire with Agape love and devoted faithfulness to Him and His works.
Arlene Baker
10/16/21
Great topic. However, the hook is weak. By opening with, "We all know," the reader could simply move on to the next entry because ... well... he already knows! Start with a challenging question! Use less scripture references and develop your own experiences and interpretation of faith. Use your own testimony. People love to read a good testimony! Happy scribbling!