My father died about eight years ago at age 80. He had suffered for years with numerous ailments, and nobody expected him to live even 70 years. He was a jolly man who loved life perhaps more than anyone that I have ever known. Though the joys of seeing his smile and hearing his voice are gone now, there is a part of him that lives on in me and my siblings—and many others who knew him well. My dad had a bold faith in God and the promises of His Word. He is in part the reason that I began to trust in God at a very early age. It was by far His greatest contribution to who and what I am. Oh how I praise God for my Dad’s Christian faith.
There is a song that we sing in our church that is all about my Dad’s faith. As you read the lyrics to the first verse, remember, it is not about a man, but a man’s faith.
Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
This faith of our fathers was not faith in themselves; it was not faith in their country; it was not faith in their church, or their families. This faith of our fathers was an invincible faith in their omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present God. Of this faith, the Word of God says: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)” “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)” “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)” God has so much to offer us as individuals, families, and as a nation, but all must be received by faith! When we start to believe, we will start to live