Faith as an act of will
One of my uncles was in the army during World War Two. When he returned, he brought a helmet with him. He insisted it was bullet proof. He believed it so strongly he wanted to wear it on his head to prove his trust. One of my wiser uncles set it on a post and shot a hole through it with a 22 rifle.
As a youth I wondered if a feather would deflect a bullet. Maybe I was a poor shot, but I never could prove or disprove the theory. As I matured, so did my outlook on faith.
The bible recounts many stories of the proof of faith. Abraham trusted God absolutely and was willing to sacrifice Isaac at the Lord’s bidding. God provided a ram, instead, and made Abraham father of many nations.
Moses and the Pharaoh illustrate many examples of God’s intervention on behalf of Moses and the Hebrews. David and Goliath, and Daniel in the Lion’s den illustrate the reward for trusting in God.
Three Hebrew boys Shadrack, Meshack and Abenego refused to offer sacrifice to a thirty-foot statue. Their faith led them into a fiery furnace where they marched around singing hymns as the Lord delivered them from the wrath of King Nebuchadnezzar.
These bible stories show that faith is for everyone, even youth. As long as we are ready to step forth when we face our Red Seas and Goliaths, we will have God’s support. Sometimes it would be easier to step back and hide with our fears, but choosing to go forth in courage can bring amazing results.
Ten-year-old Luke was terrified of his surgery. His mother handed him a bible which he randomly opened to find: “Do not fear for I am with you” (Psalm 91:4). The verse stayed with Luke throughout his life.
Another story is of a young soldier David who kept a small bible in his vest. One day his unit was caught in an ambush, and a bullet struck his chest. The bullet stopped at Psalm 91: “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” Perhaps a feather can stop a bullet.
Nicky Cruz, a feared gang leader in New York City led a life of violence, crime, and addiction. One day a street preacher named David Wilkerson told him that Jesus loved him. Despite initial resistance, Cruz eventually accepted Jesus and became a Christian evangelist travelling the world to tell his story.
John was unemployed, struggling to feed his family. One day, he saw a homeless man outside a store and gave him his last twenty dollars. That same afternoon John received a call for a job interview he’d been waiting for. The signing bonus covered his overdue bills. “I gave in faith,” he said, “and God gave back tenfold.”
A famous faith story most of us have heard is that of slave trader John Newman, author of “Amazing Grace.” In the midst of a violent storm he cried out to God for mercy and began his spiritual journey of conversion. He became a pastor and an abolitionist against the slave trade.
God can touch the most hardened heart, but we have to ask for help. We have to be open to belief. Faith is a gift from God but requires an act of will on our part. Calling out loud to God or asking for help in prayer will bring results.
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