Today is Friday -- we are looking to the coming Lord's Day, if Jesus tarries, and I have a little question to ask you this morning -- "How is your faith"? Someone has said -- "A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted." And God's Word says in Hebrews 11:6 -- "But without faith it is impossible (it doesn't say difficult, but impossible) to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." What a thrilling and wonderful verse! There are many other verses concerning faith in the 10th chapter -- (v. 22) "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. . .". (v. 23) "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith. . .". (v. 38) "Now the just shall live by faith:"
Too often, I am afraid we become discouraged "in the battle for the Lord and right", fail to "keep on the Firing Line", and stop short of the victory God has for us! Perhaps it would be good for us to take a little time in preparation for the Lord's Day to remember some examples of persistent faith found in God's Word. ZACCHAEUS was a short man, but he wanted to see Jesus! The crowd was so large that he could not get through---but he did not give up; he was determined to find a way!! So he ran ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree! And his persistence and effort was rewarded!! Jesus saw him up there, and told him to come down because He was going to his house!! Praise the Lord! His faith, effort, and persistence was rewarded!
BARTIMAEUS was blind, and he sat by the highway side begging. He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming and began to cry out, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." Many in the crowd told him to hush and be still. But he didn't care -- he was determined, and "cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me." And Jesus didn't go on by; He stood still, and commanded him to be called. His persistence was rewarded, for Jesus said "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." Amen!
My heart is always touched by the little unnamed woman who had suffered greatly for 12 long years with an issue of blood, and "had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any." She must have felt unworthy to let her presence be known to Jesus, for she "came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately, her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately." And Jesus said unto her, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."
And don't forget the many heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11:32-39. Someone has said -- "God never permits affliction to come to His people without the design of improving their spiritual condition." So let's keep on living by faith, digging deeper, climbing higher, growing in grace, looking unto Jesus, and just keep on praying till the light breaks through! Amen!
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