The Faithful

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Faithfulness is a steadfast allegiance or affection toward God's Word and God's eternal will no matter what the circumstances. It is a spirit-led determination to do God's will no matter what. Those who are faithful do not quit in the face of trials. Faithfulness is time-tested and requires perseverance.

To be faithful to God's will you need faith. To have faith you need a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Faithfulness requires a revelation of God's will for your life. Without knowledge of God's will for your life, you can become discouraged along the journey. The question becomes, "Why am I doing all this?" I call this the "so-what" factor. The "so-what" factor is our need to have a clear revelation of God's will and his purpose for our lives. A revelation of God's will gives you perspective and insight beyond the circumstances that you see with your natural eyes.

The assurance of eternal life and heavenly rewards also keeps us full of faith. "For he who comes to God must believe that He is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrew 11:6b). Our assurance of God's character as a rewarder keeps us looking upward and keeps us enthusiastic no matter what we face now. Hebrews 11 profiles some of the biblical heroes who were faithful in spite of very difficult and challenging circumstances. Let us reflect on these passages:

By faith Abel offered God a more excellent sacrifice then Cain (verse 4).

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death and was not found because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God (verse 5).

By faith Noah being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith (verse 7).

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going (verse 8).

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past age because she judged Him faithful who had promised (verse 11).

By faith Moses when he was born was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command (verse 12).

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days (verse 30).

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace (verse 31)

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthat, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. (verses 32-38).

What are you facing right now? How is it compared to what these early heroes of the faith went through? Can God count you among the faithful?

Therefore, 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, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2a).

Copyright © 2008 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.