You may have more in common with biblical heroes than you think.
You may be surprised to learn the same flaws, fears of failure, and life’s struggles afflicted these great people as much as you.
Got it tough?
Challenges in life overwhelming?
Is life throwing you one curveball after another?
Does every day feel like you’re climbing Mt. Everest without an oxygen tank?
Then just stop.
Step back.
Pray to your Father in heaven.
Wait.
Listen for His voice.
Trust that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
How do we know this?
Because you are of God and Jesus has overcome the world.
Your job is to trust, obey, have faith, and believe it will be done.
If God doesn’t seem to answer your prayer right away, it’s not because He isn’t listening.
It could be for a number of reasons, including His timing and His purpose.
Jesus said over and over, “Have faith and believe!” (Mark 9:23)
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Having faith and believing in Jesus takes us from death into eternal life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24)
10 Things You Have in Common With Biblical Heroes
What do you have in common with the great characters of the Bible?
Did they really have any challenges they needed to triumph over too?
You might be surprised to find you both have a common bond.
- They loved God.
- They worshiped God.
- They were willing to serve God.
- They listened to God.
- They waited on God.
- They fought for God.
- They lived for God.
- They had a relationship with God, be it up and down.
- They all had their flaws.
- They all made mistakes.
And, they all had challenges.
Many were gripped by fear.
Do you see yourself in any of these imposing characters?
Moses’ anger got the better of him when he failed to represent God reverently in front of His people.
The Hebrew leader Joshua was tricked by a nation because he failed to seek God’s counsel.
Ever been scared for your life?
The apostle Peter was.
Peter was a “big little man” when he didn’t rely on the strength of Jesus.
He professed his love for God and yet Peter denied him three times when he felt his life was threatened.
And yet Jesus told Peter he would be the rock upon which He would build His church.
And He did.
Elijah, the great Hebrew prophet, did astounding works for God, even calling down fire from heaven to challenge the worshippers of Baal.
But as soon as Jezebel threatened to kill him he was gripped by fear and ran for his life! (Jezebel incited her husband, Israel’s King Ahab, to worship Baal and Asherah instead of God. She also persecuted God’s prophets.)
Ruth’s faith led her to her future husband, Boaz.
Queen Esther faced a life or death decision to save the Hebrew people.
Rahab the harlot helped Joshua and his men because she knew the power of God.
These challenges were not meant to destroy them!
God used them strategically and will do the same for you.
“You have to be challenged in order to grow. It expands the bounderies God has for you.” – Pastor Jeff Gill
God Wants to Know What’s In Your Heart
Me?
I’m a sinner saved by grace.
I have more flaws and failures than I care to recall.
I have learned the hard way that I can’t do anything right apart from Jesus.
And I am not alone.
I bet you are right there with me.
The Bible says apart from God, we can do nothing. (John 15:5)
But with Him, all things are possible!
Who among us has NOT made bad choices in life?
You think the heroes of the Bible were perfect?
Far from it.
Moses, King David, Joshua, the apostle Paul, the apostle Peter…the list is long.
They all made bad choices in life.
They all had to overcome challenges in some way or another.
Saul the Hebrew, before his conversion to Christ, made it his life’s work to hunt down and kill Christians.
He made a wrong choice in life until he saw the light.
He overcame his past in a remarkable way.
As Paul, he led nations to Christ.
God uses the difficult things in our lives to change us, mature us, and transform us into who He created us to be.
Maybe you’re the next Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor.
Maybe you’ll write a novel that will encourage others.
Or, maybe you’ll change the world for Christ!
The skies the limit when you place your life in God’s hands.
So if you’re facing challenges right now, know that God has a distinct purpose for them.
He will use them to grow you so He can use you to further His kingdom in a powerful way.
Key Takeaway
Just like the Biblical heroes you read about in the Bible, trials will come.
These challenges will either break you or grow you.
They will either drive you closer to God or drive you away from Him.
Simply put (but hard to follow):
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Does it say “some things”?
No.
Does it say “a few things if they are not too difficult”?
No.
Does it say “if it’s not too hard or too tough or too insurmountable” Jesus will help you?
No.
It says YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you!
So next time the hardships of life make you feel like you’re climbing Mt. Everest, just remember who is there to get you to the top!
His name is Jesus.
Call on His name.
Have faith and believe you will be able to triumph over your challenges!
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)
I always think He is going to just leave me sitting on a wall watching life go by but I continue worship and prayer anyway. Write a book? He could do that. He could do anything. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities. Thank you
I always think He is going to just leave me sitting on a wall watching life go by but I continue worship and prayer anyway. Write a book? He could do that. He could do anything. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities. Thank you