TEXT:       JEREMIAH 3:6-18; PSALMS 72; ROMANS 1:28-2:11; JOHN 5:1-18 

 

INTRODUCTION

Dark times is an idiom that refers to a period of time that is unpleasant or frightening. It also signifies a period of hardship, suffering or adversity (Job 14:1). “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34b). Dark times are seen as part of the formation and growth process of a human being on earth. “Hope” is trust in, waits for, looks for or desires something or someone, or expecting something beneficial in the future. The confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.

 

There are two kinds of hope, worldly or temporal hope and the hope of believers.

Worldly hope is not a virtue as it usually contains some degree of uncertainty, doubt, and personal bias and can often be misdirected and selfishly motivated (Prov. 10:28; 1 Tim 6:17). The biblical definition of hope is the sure and confident expectation of receiving what God has promised us in the future. The believers hope is not a faint or obscure wish but “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrew 6:19; Psalm 71:5). Every faith strives and grows on the foundation of “hope” (Hebrew 11:1). Demonstration of faith by a believer is “hope alive” which is the proper response to the promise of God (Psalm 71:5; Jeremiah 14:8; Romans 4:18; 1 Timothy 1:1, 4:10).

 

THE BODY

Sustaining faith in dark times rest basically on the under-listed factors among others:

• By encounter: To have faith in God during hard times we have to be rooted in God, and this begins with the knowledge of Him within. Divine encounter is the beginning of every knowledge of God that promotes one’s faith and trust in its promise and ability to fulfill the Every genuine encounter opens up one’s understanding of the

 

personality, promise and power of God (Isaiah 6:11; Luke 6:1-5; John 21:1-14, 4:9-

26; Gal. 1:13-14; 1 Tim 1:12-16; Phil 3:8-10).

• By conscious and consistent communion with God: It is genuine encounter that brings someone to Him; then repentance happens (i.e. change of thought, direction, opinion, etc.) and the repentant enters into a relationship with God by faith (Ephesians 2:7-8). Communion with God is creating time and place to stay alone with Him, and be engaged in the study and meditation on the written word (the Bible) and prayers (Psalms 91:1). This is the practice of Jesus Christ in His journey on earth (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16, 6:12). The formation and growth of your faith that will stand and overcome the world (1 John 5:4) is through consistent hearing, studying and meditating in the word of God (Romans 10 :17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:2-3).
• By association: Whoever and whatever you spend time with determines your faith content and capacity. If your faith in God will be efficient and efficacious, your relationship plays an important “He who walks with the wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov. 3:20). Associating with other believers in Christ (Hebrews 10:25); listening to soul-lifting messages, talks, sermons, and studying of Christian literatures are forms of growing faith by association.
• By giving thanks: Cultivating a heart of thanksgiving and avoiding complaining or murmuring will keep your faith in God alive and This was Abraham’s lifestyle. “… But strengthen in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:16).

 

CHALLENGES/APPLICATION

Holding onto faith tenaciously for any believer in Christ is a necessity and very important in the following instances:

• At the second coming of Jesus Christ, faith will serve as a main qualification to be considered (Luke 18:8);
• To live a life pleasing to God, faith is very important (Proverbs 16:7; Hebrews 11:6);
• Living a life of commendation in the kingdom of God, a growing faith is important. “This testimony of faith is what previous generation was commended for” (Hebrews 11:2 TPT);

• Every painful experience of perilous times by any believer is targeted towards shipwrecking the faithful (Matthew 24:12-13);
• For any believer to enjoy all-round victory, i.e., overcoming troubles of life being able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, faith must be alive (Eph. 6:16 TPT; 1 John 5:4);
• The quality of life the Just lives is a function of the efficiency and efficacy of his faith. Whenever a believer’s faith fails that spells spiritual death (Hab. 2:4; 1:17; Heb. 10:38);

For your life to be living-proof of Jesus Christ in your neighbourhood, like the report of men/women of old in Heb. 11:32-35, you must hold tenaciously to faith (2 Cor. 3:2-3).

 

CONCLUSION

Everything in life depends on faith, and faith answers to God (Mark 9:23). Faith remains the ever-winning force believers have in the race of life. Where faith exists, change is inevitable.

PRAYERS

O Lord, I ask for forgiveness for every expression of doubt, unbelief, faithlessness or little faith.

Merciful Father, work on my heart for my faith to come alive and keep growing, and enable me to energise the passion and power I need for the study and meditation of Your word consistently, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.