“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Is. 6:8 NIV)
When you hear someone referred to as a man or woman of faith, what do you picture? I think of my friend Nancy Wilson raising her hand to take the mic from Beach Boy Brian Wilson so she could tell the crowd of secular college students about her Jesus. Or I see another friend confronting a demon-possessed girl in an airport, in Jesus’ name.
In other words—I picture modern-day Davids facing down Goliaths without fear or trepidation.
But Hebrews 11 paints a broader picture that gives me hope. While this chapter includes David, it also includes people who wrestled with fears and insecurities—people who initially thought God had tapped the wrong person for His mission. People like me.
For example, when the voice of the Lord spoke…
- Moses rehearsed his shortcomings and asked God to send someone else.
- Gideon asked for repeated assurances.
- Barak wouldn’t go unless Deborah rode into battle beside him.
I can relate to heroes like this! Not fearless, but faithful to God despite their fears.
Like Moses, I’ve said, “Here I am Lord, send someone else.” Like Gideon, I’ve needed extra encouragement from God to follow through on my assignment. And like Barak, I feel better when someone goes with me.
What ties these people together—besides their insecurities? Faith. They voiced their concerns to God; He responded, and they summoned their faith to push through the smog of their doubts.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1 NIV).
Faith Acts
What separates a person of faith from the crowd? It’s not a lack of fear. The faithful choose to listen to their faith instead of their fears. Faith assures us that God’s invisible presence and power accompanies us as we obey His voice.
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17 NIV).
Faith releases God’s power to flow through our weaknesses. Jesus didn’t do many miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief (Matt. 13:58). God still partners with weak humans who walk by faith.
In response to God’s Word—
- Moses held his staff over the Red Sea.
- Gideon sent most of his army home.
- Barak attacked a professional army with a group of untrained volunteers.
They obeyed, and God parted the sea and defeated better-equipped and trained enemies.
Holding a staff can’t split water—unless God wills it. We don’t study the Bible to learn strategies to replicate but to know God so we can recognize His voice and follow Him in faith.
Dr. Neil T. Anderson wrote,
“If God declares something to be true, you simply believe Him and live according to what is true. If God didn’t say it, no amount of faith in the world will make it so. Believing doesn’t make God’s Word true. His Word is true; therefore we believe it.”[1]
God-pleasing faith isn’t faith in ourselves. It’s placing our faith in our big God. Moses, Gideon, and Barak obeyed God despite their concerns about their weaknesses and the outcomes. Instead of chiding them for their doubts and fears, Hebrews 11 commends them for their faith.
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5 NASB).
Can faith and fear coexist? Absolutely. Our response to God’s call matters more than how we feel.
Is God calling you to press through some fear to follow Him in faith? Trust and obey.
Little Strength, Big God
Could your faith use a boost or a dose of healthy inspiration? I love the stories from Hebrews 11 covered in Little Strength, Big God. As these men and women trusted God in their epic battles, they experienced His presence and strength. So can we.
Get your copy here. And if you want to invite others to discuss it, you can find a leaders guide on the same page.
Originally published in August 28, 2023 as “4 Who Practiced Faith,” this post has been updated.
Can faith and fear coexist? Moses, Gideon, and Barak remind us that how we respond to God’s call matters more than how we feel. #Faith #ChristianLiving #Hebrews11 Share on X
Blessings,
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#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
[1] Neil T. Anderson, Victory over the Darkness (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2013), 112.
Debbie, What a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to be necessarily confident we need only obey God.
Isn’t that a relief? Thanks, Deborah!
I have no doubt God is saving our country. I also know there will be so.e challenges ahead as He does so. I pray I will step out in faith wherever and however He instructs no matter what is happening.
Ann, great application. I pray for our nation and ask God what my role is. And for courage to be true.
This >> “They obeyed God despite reservations.” The book is such a wonderful reminder to obey God even when we don’t understand His ways. His ways are true and right and for our best.
Joanne, one thing I’ve gleaned from these stories is that the middle of all of them is messy. But God always comes through and creates something beautiful. What hope for us all who walk with Him.
Reading your intro, I thought “blind obedience really isn’t so blind.” How many times do we know we’re walking into an unknown situation, which onward we go. I think we do so because we’re curious. We want to see firsthand what God is going to do in every situation.
Well said, J.D. We keep our eyes on Him. That is who Moses saw. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
Smiling because I think the reality is that no one ever practiced (or continues to practice) faith without some measure of doubt, but God delights in meeting us wherever we are! So faithful!
I must agree, Michele. At least I’ve faced my own share of doubts.
It is so good to have these examples from scripture! Our focus has to be on God and his word. It is comforting to know that these examples showed the same human shortcomings we all have, but when they trusted God, He was faithful.
It reassures me, Carol, to see how God used these very human men and women.
Thanks for reminding me to act in faith, even when I have doubts. It sounds like getting a support team to help me stay strong in the faith is a good plan, so I will surround myself with godly friends.
A community of those who walk in faith makes a huge difference. Love that idea, Joanna.
Debbie, I love the quote from Dr. Neil T. Anderson. That is so true. I love your insights and encouragement within.
Visiting today from G&T
I do too. Thanks for visiting, Paula.
Thank you so much for those great Biblical reminders. Great encouragement!
Sylvia, I love these biblical stories.
I’m so thankful that God’s word contains so many examples of faithful men and women who bravely sought to do His will in spite of their fears. Thank you for sharing this message of hope and inspiration.
I am too. They encourage me to persevere. Thanks, Katherine.
Debbie, thanks for these great insights. I think we can usually evaluate ourselves better by looking at our actions and considering the truth (or falsehood) that undergirds them rather than analyzing our feelings.
Annie, my feeling certainly lie to me. Good thoughts.
Great message Debbie. I know I need to step out in faith even when I am unsure of myself. When I do, God is faithful to provide and help me.
Yvonne, it’s so much easier when we feel confident. Reading how few of these men and women felt that way has really helped me.
Love this! So encouraging .
They provide great encouragement to me too, Stephanie!
Debbie, God has given you a gift of clearly articulating truths that apply to everyday life.
Thank you, Paula. God bless you!
I doubt that anyone who has ever stepped out in faith didn’t experience fear first. I’m thankful we have these biblical examples to show us how they obeyed God in the midst of fear, and faith won. Thanks for sharing these, Debbie!
I agree. I’ve come to realize we have different fears. Some avoid public speaking, but others aren’t comfortable with interpersonal sharing. We all must trust God with our fears and weaknesses.
Thank you Debbie for the points you make. Fear affirms our own inadequacy and leads to to faith in the One who enables and equips.
I love how you said that, Marilyn!
God is so gracious and kind to us, welcoming us with open arms, not afraid or surprised by whatever we’re carrying and ready to release. What a wonderful Savior!
He certainly is! Thanks, Linda.
I so appreciate that the stories in the Bible share about real people, faults, weaknesses and all. Otherwise I could never relate!
Me either!! Well said, Ann.
This is helpful, because so many say that fear and faith can’t coexist in the same heart. That just heaps guilt onto the fear. I’ve always been comforted that Paul said, ” I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3).
Barbara, I’ve heard that too, and it certainly hasn’t been my experience. Paul’s words comfort me!
Wonderful message Debbie and very encouraging. I try to give my fears to God as soon as I feel it pop up.
I do too. Some seem to ricochet back! They only leave after I press through.