ON THE SHORES OF FAITH ...

From Adam to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Noah to the prophets of old to the disciples of Jesus and then to us in the 21st century, God has been moving among ordinary men. He has always sought to use men and women for His plans and purposes. In the Bible, we read of individuals who surrendered their lives to God who did exploits for God in one way or the other. Interestingly, as we read about them in Scripture, we are not really interested in how much money they had, how many houses they built, how many animals they acquired. No, we are more concerned about their walk with God. Thousands of years after their demise, we are still studying their footprints on the shores of faith. We learn lessons about their lifestyles, their dedication to God, the mistakes they made, their faith and the extraordinary focus they had. They were, like, Abraham, looking for a city whose architect and builder is God. Is that your focus?

"But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah, being warned by God about events not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this [act of obedience] he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, as in a strange land, living in tents [as nomads] with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise. For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has foundations, [an eternal, heavenly city] whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive [a child], even [when she was long] past the normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word]. So from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand on the seashore. All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." (Hebrews 11:6-13, AMP)

These men and women of faith lived as pilgrims here on earth, acknowledging the brevity of life, and pursuing God with fervency. Moses wanted to see God, Abraham obeyed God and interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. Ruth said, 'Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried..' (Ruth 1:17). David dared Goliath to come after him but instead of walking away ran towards him with a sling and five stones, eventually defeating Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Joshua led the children of Israel around the city of Jericho and then into the city, capturing Jericho (Joshua 6). Stephen proclaimed God's Word with holy boldness whilst facing death by stoning and when death came, was gracious enough to ask God to forgive his murderers. That was a demonstration of fearless faith. Actually, faith and fear do not go hand in hand. Apostle Paul stood before Festus and King Agrippa pouring out his soul, in an effort to give his testimony of salvation. It was such a spectacular demonstration of Holy Spirit boldness that Festus shouted, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!' (Acts 26)

These were radicals who turned the world upside down. They were a firebrand group of individuals, sold out for the Lord, and holding nothing of this earth too dear. They realized how short life is, dedicated their lives to God with total abandon and ministered with the fire of God. Don't you want to feel that way?

 

No wonder the Bible states in Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]." (AMP)

 

These are the brothers and sisters in the Lord, who have gone before us. They fought the good fight; they came, they saw and they conquered by the grace of God. Some lost their lives, others were banished to remote islands, whilst others were imprisoned, all for their faith. They did not give up, they did not back down, they refused to be distracted, they kept their eyes on Jesus, and that we can do today. On the shores of faith, we are accommodated; onto the shores of faith we are called; on the shores of faith are footprints of our predecessors, examples for us to remember and to emulate. These constitute the cloud of witnesses, who stripped off every unnecessary weight that sought to tie them down. They wanted to be free of encumbrances, or of anything that would prevent them from doing the will of God. 

 

We tread those same shores of faith today. We are called as ambassadors for Christ to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in increasingly hostile environments (2 Corinthians 5:20). None of us came to this world accidentally; we are on earth to fight the good fight of faith. Victory is assured because God is with us. We have a unique opportunity to leave footprints of the shores of faith. Will you embark upon the journey enthusiastically? Will you let go and let God? Here are the conditions of service:

“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. ... So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions" (Luke 14: 26-27, 33, AMP)

 

 We are chosen by the Almighty God and that should be considered an honor. We are blessed and highly favored and God is on our side. The path is narrow and difficult (Matthew 7:13-14) but we can rest assured that, like the cloud of witnesses, we are running a winning race and fighting a good fight. Be strong and courageous; trust in God, acknowledge Him in all your ways; do not lean on your own understanding and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-7). Let the Holy Spirit guide you day after day and you will keep treading the shores of faith victoriously in the Name of Jesus. Have a blessed day.