Heralds Digest

"By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned." (Hebrews 11:29 NKJV) The eventual passage of the children of Israel through the Red Sea was not without earlier hesitation about where to turn at the brink. It was a passage powered by God's word " Go forward " into the Sea, without a consideration of the possibility of getting drown. Until this " Rhema " is received in every challenging situation of life, strategies of man matter. Even when rhema passage is surrounded by walls of the Red Sea of life, absolute faith in God guarantees a thoroughfare.

"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27 NKJV) God's projects and assignments require organized preparation for effective implementation. And as one of such projects, Moses was forced to a 40 years training camp in Median (away from the distractions in Egypt). Drawing from the experiences of Moses outside Egypt, endurance is imperative for useful deposit of godly virtues, especially during evaluation of wilderness experiences. Hasty possession can disdain the endurance of holy pre-occupation, its eternal reward cannot be denied.

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin." (Hebrews 11:24-25 NKJV) The call to register name in God's book of faithful followers is constantly open in every project or preoccupation of life. Whether in a family setting or corporate affairs, the vote for the right remains a call to polularity contest. The challenge with the call has always been the possibility of passing the contest. When faced with the privilege to choose between being identify as either Mr. Pharaoh or Mr. Levi, the decision goes beyond the spelling of the letters in a name. Moses' preference to be identified as a slave, rather than a prince, cost him 40 years in the wilderness. Only faith in God can consistently crunch the crisis of identity within and without compromise.

"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command." (Hebrews 11:23 NKJV) Many readily struggle with obedience to clearly defined missions of God, especially when the risk of implementation appears high. However, Moses' parents aligned with the conviction that the conception and delivery of Moses was unique, even without knowledge of his mission in life. They preserved Moses' life against the king's instruction because of an un-clarified interest of God. We really do not need logical disposition of God's express will in order to justify our obedience. It was faith in the undefined mission of Moses that preserved him; albeit sufficiently guided by his beautiful complexion.

"By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff." (Hebrews 11:21 NKJV) Promises from a man are limited by the mortality of the promise maker. Even with utmost sincerity, the fulfillment of promises from man is not guaranteed. However, the patriarch like Isaac, Jacob and Joseph had no doubt about the promises received from God, even on their dying beds. Since acquisition of God's promises is ageless, the benevolence of God is continuously replicated in a man of faith. Faith extends ageless benevolence to future generation with the generosity of a genuine benefactor.

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." (Hebrews 11:17 NKJV) In times of great needs, it is difficult for any benefactor to seek nothing else besides the fulfillment of promises made to him. Unlike most promise seekers, Abraham's faith in the potency of the Giver of promise overrode his desperate need to secure the promise - his only begotten son. He passed the test because he believed that He who brought Isaac from their dead bodies (Abraham and Sarah) is also able to bring him back from his dead body (Isaac). Only faith in the potency of the Promise-Giver can keep promises safe in the hands of their benefactors.

"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 NKJV) The ages of Sarah and Abraham before the conception of Isaac leave little room to doubt the reports of their loss of reproductive power. While relying on these type of reports are useful for family planning purpose, anchoring on negative statements there-from often lead to blame shifting, frustration, and hurtful disagreement. By faith Sarah anchored on the promise of God, instead of leaning on her own understanding of aged body. With absolute faith in God, the age of a man does not limit his ability to dream.