FAITH IN ACTION
18th Oct 2023
Luke 18:1-8 tells the story of a widow demanding her rights from a judge who really had no desire to help her, but who was fed up with her persistent demands, and met her needs to get her off his back. Those listening are then asked, “Will God act like this?” The answer is “No!” “God will bring about justice and quickly.” Then there is a very challenging question, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Are you and I exercising this persistent faith? What are you believing for? On what promise or scripture are you basing your belief? Or are you just hoping God will hear and be gracious to you?
In 1977, I attended a renewal teaching meeting in Truro. Colin Urquhart was speaking, the Holy Spirit was creating hunger in the people of God, and many Christians were waking up and longing to see God at work. Colin brought the word, but when it came time to pray for healing, deliverance and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, he said, “I am not going to pray for anyone tonight as I sense there is no faith in this meeting! You need to go home and pray and seek God for a gift of faith and come back tomorrow evening.”
Colin had just returned from Australia, where he had seen faith in action and many signs and wonders through another man’s ministry. Through this Colin had been convicted regarding his own unbelief, and was brought to a new level of faith. This had both challenged and changed Colin and now he challenged us!
The next morning our daughter Joanna was with our children playing outside while I was preparing breakfast for Colin, his team and the family. Our boys were melting lead in the garage and an accident occurred when the lead exploded in Joanna’s face. She came running into the house screaming with her face covered in molten lead. Her eyes were stuck open, swelling, her face burned, an awful shock and mess!
We were now faced with the challenge of belief. Jesus said, “Anything you ask for in prayer, believe that you have receive it, and it will be yours.” We were in the middle of a crisis. I got some ice packs and Colin came and prayed. Jo then went to bed and slept. Two hours later when I woke her for lunch, her eyes were completely healed. There were still burns on her face which scabbed over quickly. It was a complete healing with no scars or after effects.
The meeting on the Saturday night was very different as everyone was told about the miracle. Faith rose in many hearts and miracles took place in the realms of healing and provision. It was the beginning of a faith journey for us and many others.
Today - will Jesus find faith in me? In you? In your church and those who you meet with? We need a new revelation, to take His Word, His promises, and believe and act on what he says, and see Him at work.
We need the faith of God.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
