Forty Years Later
God’s Faithfulness Across Generations
by
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CHAPTER 1 CLOUD OF WITNESSES
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2
The Christian life is a journey. When undergoing any journey, a person has a checklist of needed items. For our journeys, God has provided a cloud of witnesses to provide us with the hope we need. I just finished the book, Blind Descent by Brian Dickinson, which exemplifies this value of the testimony of others who have gone before us. The book tells his story as he ascends to the summit of Mount Everest, only to have to descend blindly. As he prepared for his climb, he studied other climbs and climbers. As he climbed, he could see the paths taken by other climbers. Ultimately, it was God’s faithfulness that brought him safely home. This cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 11 helps us on the path God will have us take to His summit. And often, we will feel blind in our steps of faith. God, however, will be faithful. We need these witnesses. We need to study their journeys. God gave us their stories to encourage us. Here is what the author of Hebrews says these witnesses tell us:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Hebrews 11:1, 2
And,
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” Hebrews 11:6
Our witnesses teach us that God wants faith in Him. He wants people who believe in Him. Our witnesses also show us that they found Him faithful. As we study their lives, we see the faithfulness of God. God’s faithfulness was the source of their faith and is the source of our faith. Why is their witness important? To help us lay aside those encumbrances that get in the way of us having faith. Their faith encourages our faith. The journeys they endured give us strength to endure our journeys. The Hebrews author actually calls it a race. The Apostle Paul used this same expression:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Paul is talking about self-discipline and the laying aside of ‘every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us.’ When athletes train for a race they have strict dos and don’ts that they follow especially if they want to win. Paul and the author of Hebrews is telling us that we need to be disciplined in our Christian training in faith. We need this cloud of witnesses to encourage us to stay disciplined on our journeys as we grow in our faith in God’s walk with us. The stories of these witnesses let us see how God works in the lives of His people. We see how their experiences built up their faith in God. We see His faithfulness in their lives. By studying Biblical characters, we gain an understanding of what God wants to accomplish in our lives through circumstances, relationships and events we experience. He had these stories written, so we could have faith in Him. He want us to know that He is a faithful God. On the pages that follow I will be sharing what I have learned from some of these faithful witnesses.
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About the Book
When we struggle isn’t it nice to know that someone understands? God has given us a cloud of witnesses who understand. Biblical characters struggled with their faith; demanding bosses; unfairness; loss of jobs, family, and friends; and even loss of life, but they also found God faithful.
Forty Years Later: God’s Faithfulness Across Generations looks at the stories of biblical characters and, more importantly, at their wilderness journeys as they struggled and grew in faith. God has a plan for His children. God is committed to building faith in His children. God uses struggles in the wilderness to train His children.
The Israeli nation refused to enter the Promised Land the first time. Forty years later in the wilderness, they were ready to trust God. Joseph spent years as a slave and prisoner and saved his family from famine. Moses, one of the greatest leaders in history, suggested that God use someone other than himself to lead the nation out of Egypt.
God leads, guides, provides, wins the battles, and is ever present with His chosen ones. In the struggles in the wilderness, we learn to know God as our leader, provider, and protector. When everyone else fails us, God remains faithful.
God also teaches us, as His chosen, to help others on the journey He has for them. God chose us. God uses us. Forty Years Later will inspire you to see God in your struggles and find hope that He who is faithful has a plan.
About the Author
Mary L. Lyon served as a missionary for ten years, two of which were spent in Greece. She has two Master’s degrees in counseling and engineering management and her professional engineering license. She resides with family in Sacramento, California.