Weekly Devotional 5-18-15 The Increasing of Our Faith
In chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, the writer told of the faith of many with whom his readers were familiar, the forefathers of their nation. How that by faith they were able to do that which seemed impossible and live lives that were improbable. His purpose was to remind and to encourage his readers in their walk of faith continuing with these words in chapter 12, “1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:1-3).
At the time of this letter his readers, being Christian Jews, were living oppressed and persecuted lives. They were oppressed and persecuted by Gentiles particularly the Romans, but also by their own countrymen, the Jews. Many of them had been banished from their families and many of them would suffer economic losses and other privileges because of this banishment. However, we must remember that God intended this letter to reach far beyond these initial readers unto all Christians, no matter the time in which they lived and now live. Christians of today may not sufferer the same kinds of oppression and persecution as those Christian Jews (yet some may) at least to the extent that they did, but still they and we suffer many things that caused them and cause us to be discouraged.
The whole point of this part of the writer’s encouragement was for his readers to look back into their history and be reminded of what their predecessors had endured. It was, he said, by faith. Then he reminded them that Jesus, He who had suffered the terribleness of the cross, was the author and finisher of faith. Jesus commences faith in the believer and He brings that faith to maturity. This is true of all Christians, of us.
The maturation of our faith however is not immediate. Nor is it expected. As we live out our lives, God allows us to face various testing in order to increase the faith that He has given us. At times, He initiates these tests. A great example of this, perhaps the best example, would be Abraham. We read from Joshua 24:2 that before God called Abraham to Himself, as all other persons at that time, Abraham was an idol worshipper, an idolater. However, by God’s efficacious call He called Abraham out of and away from idolatry. We are not told what transpired between God and Abraham, but the Scripture states, “1Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV). Thus began Abraham’s long march toward mature faith.
Abraham was first called to leave his idolatrous family, then to step into the unknown. Soon he was called to separate himself from his nephew Lot and allow Lot to choose the better land believing that God would sustain him with whichever parcel of land was left to him. Then with three hundred and eighteen trained servants of his household, he delivered Lot from the hands of a much larger army; again, trusting that God would give him the victory. God promised that Abraham would have a son by his wife Sara even though he was ninety plus years old and Sara was beyond the normal years of child bearing. Even though Abraham had a lapse of faith in this, still when it was accomplished his faith was increased. By the time the biggest test came, that of following God’s command to sacrifice his much loved son, Abraham was willing to obey. The point is, God matured (grew) his faith. This is what God is doing in each of our lives, we who have trusted Him for our salvation.
He knows and doesn’t expect that we will be mature persons of faith when He brings us to Himself, but He is growing our faith so that we will be able to accomplish all that He has purposed for us. Thank you, Lord God.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
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