Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week’s devotionals have been inspired by the courage and victory of Jonathan and his armour bearer from 1 Samuel 14. Today, I want us to briefly look at the vital role of faith.
‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.’ (Hebrews 11:1-2)
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How can we become people of courage like Jonathan and his armour bearer? Courage is not the absence of fear as many seem to think! Rather, courage and bravery are choosing to act in spite of fear. The heroes of faith that are exemplified in Hebrews 11 were not great people who were, therefore, able to do great things. Rather, they were weak people who did great things through faith in the greatness of God!
What is faith? Faith is believing God. It’s believing who He says He is and believing He’ll do what He says He’ll do.
Faith is confidence in what we hope for
Faith, we are told in Hebrews, is ‘Confidence in what we hope for…’ ‘Confidence’ (hypóstasis) is about trust, standing under something, having a foundation to stand on. In older translations it has been translated as ‘the substance of things hoped for.’ This beautifully describes faith as experiencing something as real -substantive- even though one doesn’t have it yet. In this context, those with faith are assured of the ‘hope’ of eternal life and the future renewed creation that is theirs through faith in Christ. Those with faith, in other words, live in this world whilst looking forward to a new world!
Faith is assurance of unseen things
Faith, we are also told, is ‘assurance about what we do not see.’ ‘Assurance’ (élenchos) means reproof, proof, conviction! In this context, it carries the idea of a law court where evidence brings reproof (to wrong beliefs) and proof and conviction of truth. Those with faith, have their natural minds corrected by the truth of God so as to walk in it. When life is hard, they’re’ assured’ (corrected) by the truth that God is present and remains faithful.
To sum things up, David Garland writes:
‘“faith” has a dual perspective that could be simply summed up as looking forward (to the fulfilment of God’s promises) and looking up (to the unseen reality of God’s presence). These twin dimensions enable people of faith to overcome the discouragements and obstacles of the “seen” world and its often hostile circumstances and to press on as the people of God to inherit all that he has prepared for them.’ (Garland, David E. Hebrews. The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
In response, if we are to be like the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, and like Jonathan and his armour bearer, we need true faith. We need faith that believes in all of the promises of God, and a faith that trusts in His presence in all circumstances. Such people live for the glory of God in this world, because they know that a new one is coming and He is with them on their pilgrimage. Today, let’s choose faith over lies and fear. today, let’s choose to believe that God is who He says He is and that He’ll do all that He says He’ll do.
Community group notes and study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday reflected on the faith of Jonathan and his young armour bearer. Against the odds, and in contrast to the passivity of his father and others, they are revealed as faithful and willing to serve God against the odds. Together, they ‘go over’ because they believe in the power and promises of God.
Please read 1 Samuel 14:1-14
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What would you say are the main teaching points of this passage?
14:6 - What truths inspired the faith of Jonathan and his young armour bearer?
14:6-7 - Why is partnership or community vital for this kind of faith? What does Hebrews 10:24 to 25 have to say on this subject?
Are there any specific ways that you need to ‘go over’ - take new steps of faith?
SIV - What does this story teach us about successful mission?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
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