Greetings in Christ,
Everything we do in Christianity is predicated on our belief and faith in God. Without faith our belief is nothing but a bunch of words which have no meaning. The Bible contains nothing but fictional illustrations and empty promises. We would be better off believing we can talk to walls. Faith is the basis in our Christianity, and it is our hope in life in heaven. The illustrations in the selected readings give us examples of faith in God.
In 2 Kings, a Shunamite woman has been taking care of Elisha. She had been providing food for his time of stay in Shunem. This woman even persuaded her husband to build a room in the upper chambers for Elisha to stay and rest. She saw Elisha as a man of God, and she wanted to give him what means of care she could. As a result of her kindness, Elisha wanted to grant her something. She really did not want anything, but she was barren, so Elisha told her she would give birth to a son.
The Shunamite woman gave birth to a son, and lived to be a grown man. The son died suddenly one day. The Shunamite woman carried her son to the bed Elisha slept on and laid him there. She traveled to Elisha’s home to convince him to return to her house. Elisha returned and saw the state of the son. Elisha closed the door and began praying. Eventually the son sneezed and woke up from his sleep. The Shunamite woman wept in happiness at the sight of her son setting up on the bed.
Faith was the key factor in both Elisha and the Shunamite woman. The Shunamite woman believed in Elisha for his godly stance, and Elisha believed God could do anything. The situation with the son would not have happened without faith.
In the transformation of Saul to Paul, faith was a major part of both Paul (Saul) and Ananias. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision and told him to go to Saul and lay his hands on him. Ananias knew of the reputation of Saul and was fearful for his life, but he trusted God at His word and went to see Saul. On his arrival Ananias assessed the situation and responded to Saul just as the Lord told him to do. He laid his hands on Saul’s eyes and the scales fell off and Saul regained his sight. The Holy Spirit filled Saul, and Saul began boldly announcing Jesus as the Messiah.
Saul was beginning to utilize his faith in God while Ananias was relying on his faith in God. Both men had to believe in God before their faith could take action.
John the Baptist was relying on his faith to proclaim Jesus’ coming as the Messiah. John was announcing the arrival of Jesus to all the people. He was baptizing men and women in the name of God and preparing them for the Messiah. John had not met Jesus, but relied on the fact God had told him of Jesus, and his purpose in was to inform the people of Jesus. John staked everything he said on the faith he had in God.
Faith is our hope. Hope is our happiness. Happiness is what helps keep us going. Faith is our building block in our Christianity and our understanding of God. Without faith we are nothing in God. We cannot act, live, or function as God intended for us. It is the vital key which must be in place before God makes sense in our lives. It is something which takes many forms in our lives. It becomes something active, living, breathing, and forming us all the way. Faith is the key to life with God.
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Psalms 34:3
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalms 34:19
“Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.” Psalms 96:2
Lord may our faith become active, living, breathing, and forming us all the days of our lives. May it be the building block for our relationship with You. Amen
Blessings,
Mark Johnson
Psalm 34, 93, 96; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Acts 9:10-31; Luke 3:7-18