Our Resolute Hope Podcast

Superior.  More excellent.  Rooted in strength, power, and dominion.  This is what Hebrews means when it describes Jesus Christ as better than any shadow that came before.  Because the New Covenant is more than just a new set of promises from God; it is God Himself.

Faith is God’s value system, His currency if you will.  The phrase "of whom the world was not worthy" demolishes the human perspective about value and worth.  Because the simplest act of faith is more precious in His eyes than all the riches in the world.

Remaining faithful to the Lord doesn’t always yield the positive results and happy endings we want.  In response to our loyalty, sometimes Father parts the hedge and allows pain, suffering, and struggle into our lives.

From Asa and Caleb to Hezekiah and the Shunamite woman, the kaleidoscope of faith continues to reveal how each of these saints, through their own unique circumstances, chose to remain fiercely loyal to Yahweh.

Though unnamed, the saints in Hebrews 11:33-28 reveal the many ways their faith was exhibited.  Unwaveringly loyal to the Lord, they showed how faith is the only ‘currency’ He values.

Part 2 of this series shows us the other side of the coin, when the faith of Elijah, Hosea, and Jeremiah led them down paths of suffering and loss – things we’d rather not experience.

In Part 1 of this two-episode tandem, we discuss times when the faith of Elijah and Elisha resulted in positive, encouraging, powerful outcomes – things we’d all love to see in our daily lives.

This prophet brings us face to face with some challenging questions:  How do people of faith respond when God’s justice seems like injustice, when our world turns upside down, and when our dreams are shattered?

A solid foundation of faith, thanks to his mother Hannah, equipped Samuel to lead a nationwide revival.  His powerful, contagious faith helped turn the hearts and minds of the nation back to the Lord.

Despite his poor choices surrounding Bathsheba and Uriah, her husband, David’s heart still beats for God, still aligns with His purposes.  Following his failures, that heart moved him to throw Himself on God’s mercy.

The Scriptures describe David as a man after God’s own heart, which speaks to how David’s innermost desires aligned so closely with God’s.  And that same heart God has now placed in those who place their faith in Him.

These judges show us that faith can go hand in hand with weakness, insecurity, and pride.  Our faith can begin imperfectly, and it seem awkward as it grows.  But God assures us He focuses on what our faith can accomplish in His kingdom.

Fear can be crippling, causing us to miss opportunities to experience God’s blessings.  Faith isn’t the absence of fear, it’s obedience despite feeling fear.  And Gideon’s life shows how we can have faith in our Lord despite overwhelming opposition.

Crossing the Red Sea.  Watching Jericho’s walls fall.  And a Canaanite prostitute who demonstrates her fledgling trust in God.  All are wonderful examples of what’s possible when we simply choose to have faith in our God and His promises.

During Passover and death of the firstborn, Moses chose to trust God’s promise of divine protection.  And God proved Himself trustworthy, coming through in a mighty way.

Tending sheep in the backside of Midian, Moses finally meets the Lord, who reminds him of his godly heritage.  But before God could redeem Israel through Moses, He first had to redeem Moses.

Money, power, reputation – Moses had it all.  But when God showed him who he really was, he turned from it, choosing rather to identify with his brothers in slavery.

Moses’ ministry began not with him but with a gathering of faithful saints.  Midwives, parents, and sister – all powerless slaves in Egypt’s eyes – laid well his foundation of faith.  And they showed that, with God, no one is every really powerless.

A life filled with rejection, hardship, and suffering.  But despite this, Joseph persevered in his faith.  Even when God allowed him to become rich and powerful, Joseph remained steadfast, his eyes riveted on God and His promises.