By Donald Bryan
Hebrews 11 is often considered the Hall of Faith in the Bible. Here is listed the extraordinary deeds of the patriarchs who “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword…waxed valiant in fight”. These are incredible victories over all kinds of enemies and problems. Notice however that the problems were extremely varied, but the solution to the problem was the same faith.
By faith the elders obtained a good report. In other words, they received the victory after turning a bad report into a good report. I think everyone is aware why there is no cure for the common cold or for AIDS. These particular viruses mutate so rapidly that no effective vaccines can be developed that will stop them. That analogy can be applied to life. People face so many problems that are diverse. What is the solution to “stopping the mouths of lions, quenching fire, and escaping the edge of the sword”? Is there a common vaccine for this?
It is amazing how much fear lives in the hearts of the people of God today. Christians worry too. How do we cope with $4 per gallon gasoline, with a stock market that has fallen over 2000 points in the two weeks, with Iran launching missiles, with the economy in a steep decline, and with the changing culture? There is a vaccine for all these problems and that is faith. I think more than ever that the people of God need to learn their God. We need, in these uncertain times, to turn more to God than ever before. I believe that a person who knows God will be worth more than gold. Why? Because with faith, you can obtain a good report. It is the vaccine that works against all the problems and enemies.
Recently in Slidell, one of the young ladies in our church was told that she was pregnant with twins. That news brought joy to everyone, but then the good report was immediately followed by a bad report. This young mother was told that she had ovarian cancer and would probably lose the babies. What do you do with this bad report? Well, as the Bible says, “prayer was made” and great faith arose in our church. The young mother was healed and now has been given a good report. No cancer and the babies are fine.
I recently received an email from a woman in our church. In the email, she expressed her outright fear about the things that are happening in the world today. What do you do with these problems? I think now is the time for all the people of God to learn more about their God. With faith, we can obtain a good report. God has always taken care of His people and He won’t do any different for this generation. Walking by faith is the vaccine \that will stop the evil reports and with it allow you to obtain a good report.
From, “Louisiana Challenger”/August 2008/Page 2, by Donald Bryan
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