GOD IGNITES AND REIGNITES PEOPLE’S FAITH
The biblical Word of God says: “though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again”(Proverbs 24:6). Because of many fiery tests and trials, God’s followers may be subject to falling or lapses of faith (1 Peter 4:12). The “inspired” Word of God gives us examples of God igniting and reigniting the faith of his followers; this may ignite or reignite the faith of many other believers in the Lord (2 Timothy 3:16-17)..
ELIJAH. GOD USED THIS PROPHET TO IGNITE AND REIGNITE THE FAITH OF ISRAEL.
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years” (James 5:17).
Elijah demonstrated to the people of Israel who the true God is: Before the people he challenged false prophets to call on their gods; and then he would call on his God to see whether their gods or his God would consume their different sacrificial offerings by fire. The prophets of the wicked Queen Jezebel called on their god (Baal) all day and there was no response. Elijah called on the God of Israel and he rained down fire from heaven, and consumed his sacrifice, the altar and a deep trench of water around the altar.
However, when Jezebel threaten to kill him, Elijah ran away and hid in the wilderness for fear of his life. He had a lapse of faith, and was in a deep state of depression, told the Lord: “I have had enough Lord…Take my life.” Elijah evidently had forgotten about God’s manifestations of power; and God’s promise to his people that “he will never leave nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Nevertheless, God comforted and cared for Elijah; and reignited his faith. (1 Kings, chapters 18 and 19)
>>>>>> Today, people may consider worshipping gods like Baal to be a thing of the past. Yet some may value things of the word above the Lord—money, possessions, positions, family, pleasure and other things. When troubles come many may look to the Lord for help. When anyone calls on him out of a right heart, he works all things together for their good, as he did for Elijah. (Romans 8:28) The Lord “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
DAVID: “A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART,” SINNED AGAINST GOD BUT GOD FORGAVE AND RESTORED HIM
God said David was “a man after mine own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). But David sinned; he committed adultery and killed the woman’s husband (2 Samuel 11). Although David was afflicted by God, after he confessed and repented of his sins God forgave him (2 Samuel 12:10-14).
Because of the great compassion of God, David praised and testified much about God’s love and goodness. David wrote: “He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3). “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you” (Psalm 63:3). “Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalm 117:2).
Although David lived under the law, and knew he deserved to die for his sins (Deuteronomy 19:21); he was able to see the sacrificial atonement of the Lord for our sins. David said about Jesus: “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Acts 2:25’ Psalm 16:8-11). God enabled David to foresee our Lord Jesus Christ, who is now sitting “at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
>>>>>>> Like God forgave David, God’s Word tells us: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
PETER, A CHOSEN APOSTLE, DENIED THE LORD BUT GOD REIGNITED HIS FAITH.
Peter was a chosen apostle of the Lord who walked closely with him. Peter had seen the Lord speak to and calm a stormy sea (Mark 4:35-41). Peter had seen “how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). He had seen Jesus raise people from the dead, declaring “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11).
At one time Peter said in defense of Jesus: “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33).
However,, when Jesus was falsely arrested and about to be judged to be a criminal; Peter, fearing for his own life, denied he knew Jesus three times. While he was still denying Jesus, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62).
After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, he gave Peter three chances to affirm his love for the Lord. Jesus forgave him and reinstated him (John 21:15-17). The reignited the faith of Peter when the Lord filled him and other disciples with the fire of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Peter led other disciples in boldly preaching the gospel at this time to many Jews who had participated in the crucifixion of Jesus. Peter fearlessly told them: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36).
GOD IGNITES AND REIGNITES OUR FAITH
God ignites our faith and saves us by believing his “inspired” biblical Word: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
God maintains and reignites our faith by our believing that he said: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And no matter how many times the truly righteous fall “they rise again” (Proverbs 24:6). We rise again by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16). We rise again until we are resurrected by the Spirit to be eternally with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:11).
