CURRENT RADIO SERIES Dare to Believe   CURRENT TV SERIES His Story Your Story

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. --Hebrews 11:36 There’s a good reason why we call Hebrews 11 the “Hall of Faith.” The chapter is filled with the names of people who distinguished themselves through their faith in God. People like Abraham, David, and Gideon each reflect the kind of faith that you and I want… the faith that faces down giants and puts armies to flight! But in this same chapter there is another group of people mentioned whose faith also pleased God. Look at today’s verse. These “other” people were mocked, flogged, put in chains, and imprisoned. Now, you might be tempted to look at how these people suffered and ask, “How can that be? Why did God allow his faithful ones to endure such terrible hardships? Was their faith too small? Did God fail?” Well, these are big questions, aren’t they? Sometimes skeptics even use these questions to discredit the goodness of God. They say, “If God is so good, why is there suffering and injustice?” I’ll tell you why. A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. Sometimes God calls us to suffer and to experience trials. But when he does, he always gives us the faith to endure… no matter what comes! So if hardship has come your way, keep trusting. Let your faith in God be stubborn and steadfast! A FAITH THAT CANNOT BE TESTED IS A FAITH THAT CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

The Power of Prayer

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
2 Chronicles 20:10–12

William Cowper lost his mother when he was very young and grew up struggling with depression. Though a gifted student and poet, Cowper sought in vain for a purpose and direction for his life. Amid his depression, he tried to commit suicide and was sent to an asylum for a time. There at the asylum he heard and understood the gospel and put his faith in Christ. On his release, he moved to Olney, England, where he met John Newton. The former slave trader was a great help to Cowper, and it was during this time that he wrote “There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood.” Cowper was physically weak and often ill, and continued to battle depression. But he learned some deep lessons during his battles. He found himself forced to rely on God for his every need. Cowper wrote:
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian’s armor bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
The constant temptation we face is to go our own way and to work in our own strength. This temptation is especially attractive to those who are trying to make a difference for the Lord, because we fail to realize the subtle pride involved. Yet in truth, we are completely unable to serve and live for God apart from His power. And that power can only be found on our knees. We do not need more strength and ability. We need more prayer.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Through prayer we seek and receive God’s power and provision for our daily lives.