The following is a summary from
recent issues of Words of Truth of the lessons of faith gained from the
lives of men and women mentioned in the "Hall of Fame of Faith" in
Hebrews 11.
1. Faith gives to God that which
reminds Him of the sacrifice of His Son (Abel).
2. Faith does not give God the leftovers,
but rather gives to God the first and the best of our time and our possessions
(Abel).
3. Faith walks with God, turns to
God in every circumstance, and pleases God well, even though not able to see,
hear, or touch God (Enoch).
4. Faith is not influenced by the
philosophy of "everyone is doing it, why shouldn’t I?" (Noah).
5. Faith is willing to be
separated from one’s earthly friends and relatives in order to be a friend of
God (Abraham).
6. Faith persists in depending
upon the Lord even when trials and opposition seem to be hindering God’s plans
and purposes (Abraham).
7. Even the weakest, tiniest bit
of faith in a child of God is recognized and appreciated by the Lord (Sarah).
8. Faith is noted and honored by
God even when it comes at the very end of a life that is characterized by the
lack of faith (Isaac, Jacob, and Samson).
9. Faith is not in bondage to,
but rises above, the cultural traditions of the day (Jacob).
10. Faith does not seek earthly
memorials or means whereby one’s name and reputation will be remembered by
future generations. Rather, faith looks on to "a better country"
where the eternal focus of attention will be the Lord Jesus Christ and the
marks of suffering in His hands, His feet, and His side (Joseph).
11. Faith does not become
discouraged or vengeful during times of adversity. Rather, faith prepares one
to do the very best—with the Lord’s help—both during the time of trial and when
it is over (Joseph).
12. Faith gives up worldly
pleasure, wealth, and fame for the promise of future reward and glory as well
as the present joy and satisfaction of pleasing God (Moses).
13. Faith is not surprised or
fearful at God’s providential and sometimes miraculous interventions on behalf
of His people (Children of Israel).
14. Faith is ready to walk with
God in whatever path He may open up for his children (Children of Israel).
15. Faith looks to God to reveal
His will in detail and is diligent in carrying out His will to the letter
(Joshua).
16. Faith is not concerned with
appearing foolish or with what other people may think while we are doing what
God wants us to do (Joshua).
17. Faith is willing to be a
traitor to one’s own nation or people if necessary to be true to the God of
heaven and earth (Rahab).
18. We must first prove our
faithfulness to the Lord in matters close to home before we are qualified to
serve Him far away from home (Gideon).
19. Faith is willing to give up
personal honor and glory in order to be certain of having the mind of God (Barak).
20. Faith does not depend upon
one’s natural or God-given strength, but upon the Giver of that strength
(Samson).
21. Faith does not depend upon
one’s natural or acquired abilities, spiritual gift, or experience, but still
depends upon the Lord for wisdom, help, and guidance in every endeavor of life
(Jephthah).
22. Faith does not follow the
example and pattern of man, but looks to Almighty God for wisdom and strength
to carry out His will (David).
23. Faith, in dependence upon the
Lord, does what needs to be done without waiting for someone better qualified
to do it (David).
24. Faith is not blind and
irrational, but takes account of previous evidences of God’s power and grace
when facing new challenges (David).
25. Faith does what is right
before God even at risk to one’s own personal safety and convenience (David).
26. Faith does not allow age
barriers or generation gaps to keep one from obeying God (Samuel).
27. Faith is willing to lose the
favor of others by bringing God’s words of reproof and correction to them
(Samuel and the