The Bible contains a record of people who faced challenges and difficulties and, even though they lived long ago, their stories are preserved as timeless examples for us.
Abraham and Sarah
After Abel, Enoch and Noah had lived their lives of faith (Hebrews 11:4-7), God called a man named Abram, whom He renamed Abraham (Genesis 17:5), and Sarai, his wife, was renamed Sarah (Genesis 17:15). Abraham is described as "the father of all those who believe" (Romans 4:11), and Sarah is also recognized in the Bible as an outstanding example (1 Peter 3:6).
In an early account involving Abraham, we note his obedience: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:8-10).
One of Abraham's outstanding traits was his firm belief in God's promises. Even though Abraham was childless, when God told him he would father an heir and his descendants would become as numerous as the stars in the sky, Abraham "believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Sarah similarly set an example of faith: "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 11:11).
Abraham and Sarah weren't perfect and sometimes their faith wavered. Fearful for his life, Abraham twice made a misleading statement, claiming Sarah was his sister (she was his half sister) instead of his wife (Genesis 12:13; Genesis 20:1-3), and when Sarah heard she would bear a child, she laughed at the idea of someone her age giving birth (Genesis 18:9-12). In spite of these rare moments of doubt the lives of Abraham and Sarah were shining examples of people growing in faith and confidence as they faithfully waited for Him to fulfill His promises.
King David
David’s life also exemplified faith in God. God called David "a man after My own heart, who will do all My will" (Acts 13:22). As a youth facing the giant Goliath, David had faith God would help him, stating, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). Just as God protected and delivered David, God has the power to intervene for us if we trust in Him and do as He says.
Examples Of Faith During Jesus Christ’s Lifetime
In one of the many incidents of Jesus healing those who were ill, He offered to go to a Roman officer's home and heal his servant. The officer's faith in Christ's healing power was so strong he knew Jesus didn't have to be physically present for the servant to be healed. He told Jesus: "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed" (Matthew 8:8). The centurion's faith impressed Jesus so much that He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!....Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you" (Matthew 8:10-13). The officer's servant immediately recovered.
In another example a woman who had "a flow of blood" for 12 years approached Jesus to ask for healing (Matthew 9:20). She believed all she needed to do was touch Jesus' clothing. Jesus responded by saying, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well" (Matthew 9:22). This woman, too, was immediately healed.
Still another example of faith occurred when two blind men came to Christ for healing. He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They responded, "Yes, Lord." Jesus touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." The men's blindness was healed (Matthew 9:28-30).
In our modern secular society God is often overlooked and, although we may seek medical help, our lives are still ultimately in God's hands. As the Apostle Paul said, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). While God uses human servants, we must never forget that it is He who actually performs the miracle of healing. Although we can have complete trust in the sure biblical promise of the resurrection, we know this life is temporary and trials and even dying are part of it (1 Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 9:27).
The Apostle Paul affirmed, "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7) and we are told "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). The examples and testimonies of the men and women we read about in Hebrews 11 show us we can believe God, who delights in providing for us. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). God the Father and Jesus Christ have made promises to mankind about Their love, protection and faithfulness (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:3), and these promises are sure.
