Ordinary Faith?

Ordinary Faith?

Hebrews 11:20

The past 3 weeks we have read and learned about some great men of faith. We read some pretty amazing stories of their journeys. We learned all the obstacles that they had to overcome, by drawing on strength from God. There are still so many to learn from in the Bible as well. We think about their lives and the calling that they answered. Moses, David, Joseph and so may more. They were chosen by God to fulfill their destinies. What amazing stories they are!

There are many more stories about people of faith even today. People that risk everything to do His will and deliver the gospel of Jesus Christ to third world countries. People that go through many hard times to make a major impact on the world, and how people perceive God and His plan. We have all heard about missionaries dying, risking death and going back for more. All as part of God’s plan.

When we hear about these stories, and these great people of faith, it sometimes makes us feel as though the small part we play is insignificant. We are not leading thousands of people to the promised land. We are not leading thousands to Christ. It would seem as if we were VERY small fish in a big pond.

Today, we are going study about a man whose life seemed to be very MUNDANE in comparison to those around him. Just another person living with his family, and servants in some tents on a plain. There did not seem to be anything impressive about this. The surprise is how God looked at this ordinary life, one that was lived by real faith.

If you were to rate your life on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the most boring, or humdrum, and 10 being interesting and exiting, how would you rate your life? All things considered in your life, would you say your life is very exciting? Maybe it is just ho-hum? Or just flat out “snooze-bar” boring!

Let’s turn back into Genesis chapter 25, verses 19-28 where it says, “This is the story of Isaac’s children: Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddam-aram. Rebekah was the sister of Laban.

Isaac pleaded with Jehovah to give Rebekah a child, for even after many years of marriage she had no children. Then at last she became pregnant. And it seemed as though children were fighting each other inside her!``I can’t endure this,’’ she exclaimed. So she asked the Lord about it. And he told her, ``The sons in your womb shall become two rival nations. One will be stronger than the other; and the older shall be a servant of the younger!’ And sure enough, she had twins. The first was born so covered with reddish hair that one would think he was wearing a fur coat! So they called him ``Esau.’’ Then the other twin was born with his hand on Esau’s heel! So they called him Jacob (meaning ``Grabber’’). Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born. As the boys grew, Esau became a skillful hunter, while Jacob was a quiet sort who liked to stay at home.

Isaac’s favorite was Esau, because of the venison he brought home, and Rebekah’s favorite was Jacob.”

Verses 20-21 say, “Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddam-aram. Rebekah was the sister of Laban. Isaac pleaded with Jehovah to give Rebekah a child, for even after many years of marriage she had no children. Then at last she became pregnant.”

Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. And when he realized that she had not had any children, he did what any man of faith would do. He asked God to bless them with a Child. And God did. Can you see why this is so important? Can you see where this is showing faith? He knew that if he were to ask God, that God would be able to “make it happen.” Just as when you or I want God to bless us, we ask. Don’t we?

You know I have seen so many times when people refuse to ask God to help. They say things like, “It would be wrong to ask for help, if he wants it this way, then that’s the way it will be!” Now, don’t take me wrong, I do not believe you should pray to God, “Please let me win the powerball!!!” But I do know this, when you need strength, you need to ask Him, and he will strengthen you. If you ask in faith.

But I also know of several stories where God has intervened with matters of the world due to a beckoning from faithful believers. Such as when Joshua asked him to stop the sun, so that His people could win a battle. Joshua 10:12-13 says, “As the men of Israel were pursuing and harassing the foe, Joshua prayed aloud, ``Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and let the moon stand in its place over the valley of Aijalon!’’ And the sun and the moon didn’t move until the Israeli army had finished the destruction of its enemies! This is described in greater detail in The Book of Jashar. So the sun stopped in the heavens and stayed there for almost twenty-four hours!” Do you think God cannot, or will not intervene if it will help complete His will?