Winning Faith (2)

“And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae…” (Hebrews 11:32).

WE are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses. Whatever our conditions or circumstances in life, there have been men and women of faith who went through similar situations. These examples of men and women of faith encourage us to put our trust in God. The study of the lives of these godly people who lived and fought the Lord’s battles victoriously is always helpful to our faith. Gideon with the courageous few, Barak, fighting against cruel foes, Samson restored to conquering faith and Jephthah challenging us with uncommon consecration and faithfulness, all teach us profitable lessons, as we fight the battles of the Lord in this life. The second part of Hebrews 11:32 mentions David, Samuel and the prophets. Samuel was a prophet (Acts 3:24).

Although David was a king (Acts 13:22), God also used him as a prophet (Acts 2:25,26,30). This latter half of Hebrews 11:32 then speaks of the faith of the prophets that brings honour and glory to God. Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah were judges and warriors in Israel. Samuel was a prophet and only David is mentioned among all the kings of Israel in this chapter of heroes of faith. Faith gives us a place among God’s people, while unbelief removes our names from God’s book of remembrance.

David stands out as a great man of faith in the Bible. From his youth, he trusted in the Lord. When he was young, he killed a lion and a bear, while taking care of his father’s sheep. He fought and got victory over Goliath the giant. He had faith in God and spoke words of faith: “Thou comest to me with a sword… but I come to thee in the name of the LORD. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand… for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47). By faith, David also triumphed in many other battles of life. The battles were many and varied, in his family and from the king of the nation, friends and foes; yet, he always fought with courageous faith. The Psalms are full of expressions and confessions of his faith (Psalms 3:6; 4:8; 9:9,10; 18:2,17,19; 23:4; 27:1,3; 32:7; 44:5-8; 56:3-5,11; etc.).

Samuel knew the Lord from his childhood. He was born through the prayer and faith of Hannah, his mother. Conceived and born through the prayer of faith, prayer and faith in God carried him through life. The lives of Eli’s sons, sinful, wicked children indeed, did not destroy his faith and loyalty to God. The sinful examples of backsliders and apostates cannot destroy true faith in those who really have it.

Samuel was an outstanding prophet of God, who bore witness to the faithfulness of God. The power of God was evident in his life and the prophetic ministry was kept pure throughout his life. Israel honoured and feared him because of the demonstration of God’s power through him. His messages brought strong conviction to their hearts.

The Lord sent His Word to His people in the Old Testament through the prophets. Moses was a great and unique prophet with whom the Lord spoke “mouth to mouth” (Numbers 12:7,8). His function as God’s prophet was to teach and preach God’s Word with signs to confirm the message. All the true prophets always spoke forth the divine message. Biblical prophecy was based upon and was a development out of the law of God (Isaiah 8:20; Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Every revelation or prophecy is to be judged by the written Word of God (Revelation 22:18,19; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Romans 16:17).

The prophets were watchmen over Israel, who boldly declared God’s Word to the nation. They reminded the children of Israel of the faithfulness of God. They had great faith in God and spoke with strong conviction even when the nation was backsliding and hardened. They always spoke with authority and conviction to impress the demand of God’s Word on the consciences of their hearers. And God’s power was present with them to confirm His Word.

Further References (King James Version): Hebrews 11:32; 1 Samuel 17:32-37,45-50; Psalms 71:7,17,18; 18:32-35; 27:3; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 Samuel 3:10,19; 7:7-10; 12:16-19; Psalm 99:6; Acts 13:20; 3:24-26; Jeremiah 6:17-19; Isaiah 52:6-8,10; Ezekiel 33:7-9,30-33; 2:3-7; Jeremiah 1:17-19; Hosea 12:10,13; Deuteronomy 34:10-12; 1 Kings 18:21,30-39.