Faith and Patience
Memorise: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1
Read: Hebrews 11:1-11 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is 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.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Bible In One Year: Genesis 49-50
MESSAGE:
The more we trust a person, the more patient we become towards them. If they promise to come soon as possible, we will wait for them even more patiently because we know they mean what they say Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the word of God. Thus, if we would be steadfast in faith, we must constantly fellowship with God’s word so that we know Him for who He is.
Faith without patience produces people who start off well but cannot finish strong. Patience without faith produces people who constantly suffer but have no power to change their situation. When Satan whispers to you that God’s word is not working, faith says “It is a lie” and strengthens your resolve to wait. Faith has no fear; it knows that God’s word has never failed, so it builds patience in you to wait for the word to come to pass. Faith strengthens patience. James 1:3 says:
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
Faith and patience, working together, defend and protect your soul. This is why sometimes; God tries your faith so as to build Your patience. He knows that just like Job, if both your faith and patience are strong, no matter what the devil brings your way, you will not fall. You need both faith and patience to win the heavenly race, because, it is a marathon and not just a sprint. I got born again over forty-five years ago and it was as if Jesus was coming that same year. Some of those who started the race with me have backslidden now. They had faith, but not patience. When I started seeing some of these people backsliding, I was worried for my own faith, thus I cried to God to help me so that I would finish strong. One day, I was watching the making of a movie in which the lead actor told the director that he was not sure he would be able to win the horse race that was to be a part of the movie. The director responded, “You just keep riding; I will make “sure you win”. God spoke to me through that: He said “You just remain in the race, I will make sure you finish strong”. Jude 1:24 says He is the only One who can keep you to the end. I believe God and His word, and that is why, today, I am still standing.
Prayer Point:
Father, please keep me until the end. Don’t let me fall by the way in the course of my race to Heaven.
Hymn 8: Oh, My Comarades! See The Signal
1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal,
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing,
Victory is nigh.
Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”
2. See the mighty host advancing,
Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling,
Courage almost gone!
Refrain:
3. See the glorious banner waving!
Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph
Over every foe.
Refrain:
4. Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
