Rev. J. Leroy Wimbush,
Pastor, Fresh Harvest Christian Church (D.O.C.)
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT), And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Over the past year, there have been a number of things that have tested our faith. To name a few – the pandemic, high unemployment, closing of churches and business establishments, deaths of friends and family. As a personal testimony, since March of 2020, there have been 20 deaths in my family, including my dear mother.
I can imagine that there are those that would think. “How can God allow such despair and grief?” My answer is faith. Hebrews 11:1(KJV), Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We have faith that the air will be flowing so that we can breathe. We have faith that a chair will hold our weight and not collapse if we sit down on it. I have faith that God will do just what He said He will do. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:3 NLT).
Enoch had faith (Genesis 5:18-24, 1 Chronicles 1:3, Luke 3:37, Hebrews 11:5-6). Noah had faith. You know the story of Noah (Genesis 6:7-8, 14-21, 7:17-18). He built an ark because it was going to rain and the earth would be flooded. The people laughed at him because rain from the sky was unheard of, and they thought Noah was crazy. But, Noah had faith in God and despite the ridicule and mockery, he built the ark just as God told him. He and his family along with two of each of the animals on earth were saved.
Abraham had faith. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Because of his faith and obedience, Abraham was prepared to do just what God said and then, God stepped in and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. Abraham’s faithfulness led to his reward from God (Genesis 17:3-6, 17:20, 12:3, 18:18, Acts 3:25).
Moses had faith (Exodus 17:11, 18:20, 32:11; Numbers 12:13; Joshua 1:1-2). Rahab had faith (Joshua 2:1-24, Joshua 6:23, James 2:25). Rahab was a woman of ill repute. Her livelihood was considered undesirable. However, this woman, that other women detested, received God’s favor and was in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus (Matthew 1:1-25). By faith Rehab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies (Hebrews 11:31 ESV).
I want to share the following scriptures on faith with you. I pray that you will find them encouraging and will help increase your faith.
Matthew 16:24-25
Matthew 17:20
Hebrews 11:1
1 Corinthians 2:9
James 1:22-25
John 3:36
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
John 14:6
Ephesians 2:8-9
2 Peter 1:3-11
Galatians 3:26-27
1 Timothy 6:12
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV). I encourage you to attend worship services regularly. Read and study the Word of God; join a Bible study group. Fast and pray (Mark 9:28-29).
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT)
