Authoring An Unwavering Faith

In the Old Testament, parents taught their children about God’s miracles, passing down knowledge through generations. This led to a belief that God would perform miracles in their own lives. The victories of their ancestors served as examples of overcoming enemies. Over time, descendants relied on signs and objects, such as the Ark of the Covenant, to remember God. Carrying the Ark confirmed God’s presence and helped them win battles. However, later on, people forgot God’s commandments and saw the Ark itself as God’s presence.

The Ark Of God

God appointed Eli and his sons as priests in His temple. However, they strayed from Him and engaged in sinful behaviour within the temple. They ignored Eli’s warnings and stubbornly continued their wrongdoings. In response, God communicated with the young Samuel and revealed His plan to remove Eli’s descendants from their priestly positions, explaining the reasons for His decision. Despite their father’s advice, Eli’s sons persisted in ignoring the consequences and living according to their own desires. Nonetheless, they still believed that guarding the Ark of God was their main responsibility.

During a period of turmoil characterized by their relentless conflict with the Philistines, the Israelites clung fervently to the belief that victory would be within their grasp if they carried the sacred Ark of God into battle. Their unyielding faith drove them to view the Ark as a powerful conduit, a vessel through which they could access the divine power it contained. Despite their deep conviction and possession of this revered artefact, the Israelites were harshly defeated by the unwavering determination of the Philistines, who seized the Ark and claimed it as their own.

The loss of the Ark was a devastating blow, leaving the Israelites questioning their faith and feeling an immense void. In a tragic twist of fate, the battle also claimed the lives of the two sons of Eli, who had been entrusted with safeguarding Ark. This calamitous turn of events was seen as a profound demonstration of divine judgment and left the Israelites reeling from the profound loss they had endured.

This ancient tale resonates even in today’s world, as humanity continues to create and uphold various religious doctrines and belief systems. Sometimes, we become so preoccupied with safeguarding and defending our faith that we unintentionally overlook the ultimate source of protection – the Divine Protector Himself. It serves as a timeless reminder that true strength lies not solely in the material objects we wield or the rituals we observe, but in our unwavering connection with the higher power that guides our paths. By embracing this profound truth, we can find solace and navigate the complexities of life with renewed purpose and humility.

Eli heard the news of losing their battle from a Benjamite. Despite surviving the news of his son’s death, when the messenger told him about the capture of the Ark of God, Eli died from shock and despair.

When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy.

1 Samuel 4:18 (NIV)

The belief passed down from his family didn’t help Eli trust in the unseen God and His limitless power. Instead, Eli relied on the Ark of God, putting God aside. And not just Eli, but even today we make the same mistake by placing our trust in religious leaders, churches, and sacred places rather than God Himself.

Does Healing Impart Faith?

Just like our ancestors, we often rely on signs and miracles to inspire belief in God among people. Preachers and their organizations pray to God to affirm His teachings through blessings, healings, and deliverance. To inspire faith in God among their listeners, they ask those who have been blessed to share their stories, hoping that others will trust in God by witnessing the blessings bestowed upon others.

The publicity revolves around the practice of video recording testimonies to share on electronic platforms and magazines. During revival meetings, preachers showcase their abilities while it is God who performs the healing and deliverance. Though a large crowd attends these meetings, only a small fraction of people actually experience the miraculous touch of God. The majority of people simply watch in awe. This leads to a lack of awareness regarding the inner transformations that occur through small group discussions and one-to-one Bible studies. Consequently, people miss out on the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers, only witnessing superficial external changes.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

When people listen to testimonies, they often feel inspired and pray for their own healing, hoping to receive the same miracles. However, God works in different ways for each individual, depending on their faith and life circumstances. It’s important to note that testimonies only showcase the end result of someone’s faith but do not reveal the personal transformation and struggles that occurred before their healing. As a result, these healings may only be temporary, and over time, individuals may forget the power of God and return to their original problems, leaving the onlookers questioning the unchanging power of God.

The Role Of Faith In A Healing

There are many precedents in the Scripture where Jesus and His disciples heal the sick and deliver the possessed. These miracles serve as signs of faith to preachers who use them to inspire others. Believers invite people who do not know Jesus to their church service to receive healing and blessings in His name. When they do not receive healing or answers, they do not attend church anymore and may disregard further invitations.

It is important to address these lapses and focus on spreading the Gospel in order to instil faith in others. The healings documented in the Bible were the result of the faith that individuals already possessed, and these miracles did not compel them to believe in God. During testimonies, people express gratitude for their illness as it draws them closer to God, but this can create a trap where individuals only trust in God for healing and blessings. Even those who experience God’s miracles often fail to explain the inner transformation of their hearts, instead emphasizing the visible outward changes, which can give a false impression. Some believers even wait for nonbelievers to fall ill or encounter problems in order to inspire faith in them.

Every miracle performed by Jesus and His disciples is based on compassion and unconditional love. They healed people with afflictions out of humanitarian motives, not to manipulate or build faith. Instead, their overflowing love made people trust in God and seek their help. Jesus urged us to live by His standard, so that when others see us, they may praise our Heavenly Father. However, some people serve God to seek personal praise and recognition. When Jesus commands us to do good deeds, it means producing the fruits of the Holy Spirit, not simply relying on the power of God for impressive performances. When we bear good fruits as a result of the Gospel, people become eager to receive it.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Awaiting A Sign

While Jesus was living here on earth as a human, many people had faith in Him, believing that He was the Son of God. However, some Pharisees did not have faith in Jesus and they requested Him to perform miracles in order to convince them of His divinity.

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 12:38-40 (NIV)

Jesus highlights the supremacy of the Gospel over signs and wonders. He uses the example of Noah, who spent three days in the belly of a fish, to foreshadow his own resurrection to the Pharisees. He explains to them that there are no other signs apart from the death and resurrection of the Son of God. The Gospel has the power to transform people by leading them to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and as a result of their faith, they experience healing and deliverance.

Living Testimonies

Not depending on any signs, we should obey God in all respect in all walks of our lives to impart faith in the life of our fellow citizens. The life of Jesus drew many to Him, and in turn, they received their miracle. A woman suffering from a twelve-year-old sickness came out of her house despite the risk to her life to receive her healing by touching the garment of Jesus. She heard about Jesus and believed that He was the Son of God. This belief made her reach out to touch His garment. Jesus did not say to this woman that this healing would bring her faith. Instead, He addressed her as a daughter to show that because she believed that He came from the Father, she inherited her holistic healing.

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Mark 5:34 (NIV)

Unfortunately, many ministries are relying on miracles that believers have experienced instead of effectively imparting faith to others. To truly impart faith, God instructs us to prioritize the teachings and commandments He has given us, setting aside previous miracles in our own lives and ministries. The focus should be on living in obedience to God. The verses Isaiah 8:16 and Romans 12:1 support this perspective.

Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.

Isaiah 8:18 (NIV)

A Case Study

Understanding how Abraham imparted faith to his son Isaac will help us pass on the faith to others by obeying God. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him. This was previously seen as a test of Abraham’s faith. However, when God instilled faith in Abraham to conceive Isaac, He did not need to test His own initiative. Instead, every challenge we face is not merely a test of our own faith, but an opportunity to inspire hope and belief in others by showing them the grace to stand firm in our faith. The difficulties we encounter, which may threaten our faith, are actually the best means to guide others to God, as long as we remain faithful by obeying Him.

The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Romans 4:23-24 (NIV)

Transparency in our faith walk is important for the growth of others in their faith. Abraham demonstrated this by not hiding the truth from his son regarding God’s instructions. Initially, when Isaac asked about the lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham assured him that God would provide. However, as they reached the place, Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac. I believe Abraham would have shared with his son God’s desire and the promise to bless Isaac’s descendants. He would have reassured Isaac that God would not fail to fulfil His promise and therefore may prevent him from carrying out the sacrifice. Or if Isaac were to be killed, God would bring him back to life to fulfil His promise.

When God prevented Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, it would have had a significant impact on young Isaac. Furthermore, the substitution of a ram in place of Isaac would have established the love and faithfulness of God in Isaac’s heart. Through this experience, Isaac came to understand that his father’s love for God surpassed everything else, and he likely chose to love God in the same way. While the miraculous escape did not instil faith in Isaac, his father’s obedience to God left a lasting impression of unwavering faith.

Just as Abraham’s faith had a profound influence on his son, it is imperative that our faith likewise encompasses and impacts not only our family but also those in our immediate vicinity. It should be our unwavering faith that draws people to God rather than any signs and wonders that they experience along the way.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)