Walk By Faith
Dear Friends,
How do you approach your time of scripture reading? I have used various methods through the years, but I am always grateful when my studies lead me back to the characters of the Old Testament. While a verse from the New Testament can guide and direct my heart in a particular moment, it’s the people of the Old Testament who remind me of how nitty-gritty faith can be and how faithful our God is. The qualities I discuss in today’s video are beautifully played out in several Old Testament lives.
When I think of endurance, I think of Joseph and his years spent in prison for being wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife. I think of his tenacity and faith even when, at every turn, there was a new trial.
When I think of perseverance, I think of Noah. God called Him to build an ark for a flood that was unprecedented. He asked Noah to devote his time to building a vessel for an event that no one had seen before. No doubt, it took Noah a very long time to build the huge ark that God specified to him. Getting up each day to do the work on the ark took tremendous perseverance.
When I think of confidence, I think of Esther. She put confidence in God by asking her people to pray and fast on her behalf before she faced the king, putting her life on the line, for their sakes. She embraced her place as queen and embraced her Jewish heritage in a time when embracing those things meant certain danger to her.
When I think of hope, I think of Hannah. She went before God with a broken heart but without losing hope. When God granted Samuel, her beloved only son, she gratefully gave him back to God for His purposes. His life and ministry gave hope to Israel in a dark time.
God has called each of us to a life of faith. Whether that faith demands endurance, perseverance, confidence, or hope on this day, I pray that you find encouragement in the stories of those who have gone before you and set an example of faith.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 10:35 – 11:2 (NIV)
Blessings,
Ron
Ron, thank you for reminding us of our calling as Christians to "Walk by Faith". You are a blessing and a mentor to all of us as Financial Professionals especially during these trying times. May God continue to bless you beyond measure.
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I deeply appreciate what you've written as well as what you said Ron. When doubts arise for me, I take them to the Lord in honesty. He often answers by directing me to the lives of the real people in His Word. They inspire me to endure, persevere, stand in confidence in God in me, and to place my hope in Him alone. Hope (He) never disappoints. (Romans 5) Bless you Ron for your thought-provoking encouragements.
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