Good morning Lord Jesus, speak to me in this silence of my morning as I tune my heart to hear your voice.
If your plans are not intimidating to you, they are insulting to God. Why? because if they are not intimidating to you you do not need God to accomplish them. God delights and honors big faith. God delights and multiplying those of big faith. We cannot afford to be a people of small faith.
A faith that is not altered by how things end in this side of Glory. You do have those who’s great faith ended happily in this world, on this side of glory:
o Daniel's deliverance from the lion's den in Dan. 6,
o Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being saved from the fiery furnace Dan. 3.
And you have those mentioned in Hebrews 11:17-35a “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”
But you also have the continued naming of others mentioned in Hebrews 11:35b-40. It does not always end in a happy ending in this world, on this side of glory.
“Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”
o You have the story in Acts chapter 7 of the stoning of Stephen.
o In Acts chapter 12 Peter was arrested. The church prayed and he was miraculously set free. Later in Acts chapter 12 James is also arrested. The same church again prayed for James yet he was beheaded.
How the story turns out on earth has nothing to do with whether God is glorified or not. It may not have a happy ending on this side, but on the other side God is glorified. But whether it turns out happy or sad by earthly standards, cannot take away or hinder the glory that comes from big faith. God delights and honors that faith. All those listed whether in the first or second half of Hebrews 11 were admitted into God’s Hall of Fame. They did not gain entrance into his hall of fame by how their life ended, but how their life was lived. They all were admitted because of their big faith. You get in God's hall of fame through big faith exhibited in how you are living your life.
Look at Caleb and Joshua’s story and actions in their entering into Canna found in Numbers chapter 13. They are not looking at the problems; they are looking at their God with big faith. Without a faith like this we pray for everything man can do but not for what only God can do. We have to be obedient to him if we want to see him at work.
My family, Spend time reading these stories of big faith found in Daniel chapters 3 and 6, Hebrews 11:17-40, Acts chapters 7 and 12, and Numbers chapter 13. Then with the Holy Spirit meditate on your level of Faith. Do you have big faith? Is it based and influenced by hope of fame in this world, or hope of entering God’s hall of fame in the new earth? Does your life exhibit big faith? What plans or journey are you obeying and following God though that are intimidating to you? In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE