“By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:27-31)
Five examples of faith
are given here in five enlightening episodes of history. In five large steps of
believing faith we travel together from Egypt to Canaan. Faith is good for the
feet and for the heart. The Lord of history loves faith in his people, indeed
without faith is impossible to please him. With faith it is almost impossible
not to please him. Reason helps us to appreciate the visible material world
around us. Faith is a lovely gift from God that enables us to appreciate the
eternal realities of a loving invisible God who in the beginning created heaven
and earth. Faith can also blend with reason and taking one beyond the scientific
facts of the laboratory.
Faith in the Invisible One –
Him Whom is Invisible
Faith locks believers into a living spiritual
reality. We are born again into freedom and a certain future of everlasting
life. Reason alone says the Bible is a world best selling book. Faith tells me
it is the living Word of God speaking direct to me. This is a faith that goes
beyond reason, but not in contradiction to reason. It is a willingness to trust
in, rely on and cling to God. Faith is much more than bare belief, or
intellectual understanding.
Faith does not Fear
By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing
the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. God was
greater than the situation in Egypt and greater than an angry fuming Pharaoh!
Bondage became belief whilst slavery became freedom of choice. Past
weakness was exchanged for a present strength and a future filled with promise.
All Christian’s are experiencing the same in life and conduct.
Faith says Farewell
Seeing the Invisible One helps one say goodbye
to the old way of life and to walk in a new way. We follow our Lord Jesus Christ
who is the Way the Truth and the Life. We see life in the light of eternity and
that position enables us to attempt great things in faith for Christian’s have
inspiration of vision so they see things in a very different light. We see
clearly what other people fail to see.
Faith finds Safety and Rest
The people celebrated the Passover. Safety was
secured under the provision and protection of the applied sacrificial blood. On
Calvary’s Cross Jesus Christ became our Passover in a spectacularly
sacrificial manner. Calvary is unique in world history.
Faith walks a New Way
Certainly no men before them had walked
through the Red Sea on a designated straight road on the seabed. It was a
totally and new experience for the people of Israel. Footsteps of faith leading
forward to a focused destination. Canaan was calling, milk and honey preferred
to the Egyptian whiplash and brick production.
Faith breaks down Barriers
The walls of the city of Jericho were circled
by footsteps of faith seven times. Marathon walks. It was as if this circle had
no ending. But it had and down came the stonework in a vertical dive of divine
demolition expertise. Faith here was daring, obedient, patient, anticipating
with no turning back as one they had to keep going forward. Let our faith today
bring down barriers.
Faith reached the Gentile
People
Rahab was not Jewish yet she was saved and
delivered and became one of the ancestors of the Lord Jesus Christ. Her faith in
really difficult circumstances led to her place in redemption history. She was
accepted, as is every believer.
Faith and the Fulness of Times
To the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. “In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having
made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which
he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he
might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1: 6-9)