Greetings! In 1 Sam 14, we read about the courageous exploit of Jonathan.
Faith is dependence on God.
“Is it faith to understand nothing, and merely submit your convictions implicitly to the Church? For it is better, with closed eyes, to follow God as our guide, than, by relying on our own prudence, to wander through those circuitous paths which it devises for us.” ~John Calvin.
Faith is the stuff that moves mountain. It is the stuff that allows a single person to go to a hostile mission field to share the Gospel, for years, for decades, for life. Faith is the stuff that makes a difference between a silent lamb or a roaring lion – it is the difference between pretending to sleep in the Grab ride and sharing the Gospel.
Faith fuels courage. Courage comes with faith. With faith, we get courage to face what we might not be brave enough to face on our own. We read about Jonathan bringing his armour bearer deep into the enemy territory. They killed twenty.
Faith is like a spark of fire, lighting up others, inspiring and encouraging them. It is like a burning coal. When it comes in contact with other coals, whether they are fizzling out or not burning at all, it lights them up. When the coals are together, they burn together. That’s what happened to Jonathan and his young armour bearer.
Do you have faith in God? Do you have enough faith in God? Do you have enough faith in God to live a victorious life when you body is not 100% healthy and is showing signs of further breaking down? Do you have faith your son and daughter-in-law will complete their studies and come back safely after two years from a foreign land 5500 km away? Do you have faith to carry on with a job you find yourself not adequate to do?
You do not need to be in trouble to have faith. You don’t not need to be in desparation to trust God. You can put your faith in him, now. And while you are burning with faith, do huddle together, so your faith inspires and encourages one another. Be a piece contagious burning coal.
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