Do You Have and Enduring Faith?

Faith of our fathers living still
In spite of dungeon fire and sword
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word

Faith of Our Fathers 1849
By: Frederick William Faber (1814 – 1863)

Listen to this a cappella version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we begin our journey through this hymn ask yourself if you can make the commitment of the refrain. “Faith of our father, holy faith, we will be true to Thee ’til death.” That is quite a commitment! Let’s tune our hearts.

Living Still

The faith that has been entrusted to us by those who have come before us is not one that for them was always easy. In this age of ease it is not hard for us to quickly forget that we really have no clue what persecution looks like, and certainly not what it feels like. Our father’s faith is still alive, but I wonder what condition it is in.

Let’s think of it another way. If many of those who have faced difficulty because of their faith were to closely examine how we live ours would there be much resemblance at all. Would they even be able to say that their faith was alive and well in us? True, it is living still, but would they recognize their faith in ours at all?

They were commended for their faith. Many of them stood strong when threatened with physical harm or death. If they examined our faith, I wonder if they would commend us.

Faith of our fathers living still

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. Hebrews 11:1-2 ESV

The faith of those who have gone before us is such an important part of our story. They believed what they could not see and were commended for it. Their faith lives on in us still, past the end of their earthly lives, and creates a legacy for all who will believe.

Our forefathers in the faith may no longer be alive but their faith certainly is. What an enduring legacy they have entrusted to us, and at what cost! Some of them are no longer alive because of their stand for the faith we have inherited. Let us never shrink back, ever standing like them.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the faith of those who have gone before us in Christ. Now think about how our faith compares to theirs. May we be more than just convicted by their faith. May we be inspired. Make this your simple prayer today “Father, thank You for the faith of our fathers.” 

In Spite Of…

Their faith stood strong in the midst of great challenge and persecution. If those things could not extinguish their faith it was certainly not for the lack of trying. What is even more fascinating is that often those affronts to faith even seemed to strengthen the resolve of the faithful, when logically just the opposite would seem likely.

Though some were delivered through death, others were delivered from it. We often pray for the latter, but God’s answer comes to some in the form of being carried through the difficulty or in this case death.  I think the strongest in faith receive the greatest challenges to their faith because the Lord knows their capacity even better than they do.

He knows they can stand , even if standing means they will loose their lives.

In spite of dungeon fire and sword

Who through faith…stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Hebrews 11:33b-34 ESV

Many of those whose faith has been imparted to us paid a high price to live that faith. Some even gave their lives so they would not have to deny their faith. Some were victorious in life but others in death. Nothing could rob them of the joy of standing strong in their faith.

Neither dungeon, fire or sword could deter them from proclaiming their faith. Could the same be said of us? If we had to face the things some of them endured, would our faith be living still or would it have perished? Ask God to help you embrace your faith with a resolve equal to theirs.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on what some of the faithful have had to endure. How would you handle the same circumstances? Pray a simple prayer like this one, “God, help me embrace my faith with a like resolve.” 

God, thank You for the faith that has been handed down to us from the faithful who have one before us. What a legacy they have left. Help us to be faithful to leave the faith strong when we depart this life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Faithful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 36.1 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Faith of our fathers living still
In spite of dungeon fire and sword
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word

Our forefathers in the faith may no longer be alive but their faith certainly is. What an enduring legacy they have entrusted to us, and at what cost! Some of them are no longer alive because of their stand for the faith we have inherited. Let us never shrink back, ever standing like them.

Father, thank You for the faith of our fathers.

Neither dungeon, fire or sword could deter them from proclaiming their faith. Could the same be said of us? If we had to face the things some of them endured, would our faith be living still or would it have perished? Ask God to help you embrace your faith with a resolve equal to theirs.

God, help me embrace my faith with a like resolve.

What fills your heart with joy? What makes it beat the strongest? Maybe it is when your loved one calls your name. Or when your favorite team wins the big game. Maybe when the phone rings when you are expecting good news. Ask the Spirit to reveal what makes your heart leap. 

Spirit, what fills my heart with joy?

Does the glorious Word of God delight your soul? Or something else. You may be willing to lay down your life for whatever does, but you certainly will not for what does not. Some have been willing to die for the faith that Word makes plain. May we be true to death as were they.

Lord, help us be true to death.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Do You Have and Enduring Faith? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Faith of our fathers living still – https://hoodmemorial.org/2017/06/14/faith-of-our-fathers/
In spite of dungeon fire and sword – https://www.insightoftheking.com/william-tyndale–persecution-for-the-words-sake.html