THE WOMAN OF FAITH

 Today, we are going to look at “THE WOMAN OF FAITH.”  The Bible says, “…Have FAITH in God” (Mk. 11:12-14, 19-22). 

 

To receive anything from God, you MUST have faith in Him (Mk. 11:12-14, 19-22). Faith in God is faith in His Word.

 

To emphasize the importance of faith, the Bible repeatedly said, “…the just shall live by faith…”

 

Apostle Paul repeated this in Romans saying, “…the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).

By whose faith should the just live? Habakkuk 2:4 says, “...the just shall live by his faith.”

 

Why? “…for it is by your own faith that you stand firm” (2 Cor. 1:24b).

 

When will the just live by faith? Now! Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith…”

Why must the righteous live by faith? Because without faith you cannot please God.

What is faith? Faith is, simply, trusting God and His Word more than anything you can see in the natural. 

 

Who then is a woman of faith? A woman of faith is a woman who (1) trusts Christ and (2) believes what He says and (3) lives her life by it.

 

Examples of women of faith abound in the Scriptures: 

 

1. Virgin Mary. When the angel Gabriel came to Mary telling her that she was to give birth to the Son of God, Mary just simply believed God and said to the angel, “Be it unto me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38).

 

What characterized Mary's faith that made her a woman of faith?

Mary is called “Woman of Faith” because in and through all the trials of life, she never doubted God. Mary had a Simple faith.

 

A simple faith is a faith that simply believes everything God has said and acts on it. She trusted that God would be faithful to her. 

 

No doubts, no discussion, no delays. She trusted and obeyed God’s will for her life and in doing so made the greatest life changing contribution to our world that has ever been made! These other women who believed in Christ believed in Him simply for who He said He was. They didn’t need miracles. They believed because He said it. He didn’t have to move mountains for them to believe. He didn’t have to heal the blind for them to believe. For them, all He had to do was speak the Word and they believed. 

 

2. Another wonderful role model for women of faith today is Hannah, the wife of Elkanah.

And Hannah said to Eli, “Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So, the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad” (1 Sam. 1:18).

 

From the story of Hannah, we can learn the following:

1. Women of faith go through challenges just like any other woman: They have problems in this life just like other women.

a) The Lord shut up her womb (1 Sam. 1:1-5).

b) Peninnah, her rival, was provoking her (1 Sam. 1:6-8).

 

Women of faith have problems in this life just like other women. But what distinguishes them as women of faith is what they do when faced with their problems (1 Sam. 1:9-18). 

 

2. Women of faith pray vibrant prayers. 

·       Hannah prayed with bitterness of soul (1 Sam. 1:9-10).

 

·       Hannah prayed with weeping in anguish (1 Sam. 1:10):

 

·       Hannah prayed with offers of a solemn vow (1 Sam. 1:11).

 

·       Hannah prayed with persistence (1 Sam. 1:12).

 

·       Hannah prayed with her heart (1 Sam. 1:13).

 

·       Hannah prayed with all her soul (1 Sam. 1:14-16).

 

·       Hannah prayed with faith in God’s promise (1 Sam. 1:18).

 

3. Women of faith experience God’s provision.

 

a) When the LORD remembered her (1 Sam: 1:19).

 

b) When the LORD gave her a son named Samuel (1 Sam. 1:20).

 

4. Women of faith excel at keeping promises.

a) She planned to keep her promise (1 Sam. 1:22).

 

b) She carried out what she promised (1 Sam. 1:24-28).

 

c) She worshipped the LORD (1 Sam. 1:28).

 

5. Finally, we note Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving (1 Sam. 2:1-10). This prayer of thanksgiving is similar to ‘Mary’s Magnificat’ (Lk. 1:46-55).

 

Conclusion:

1. "Hannah - A Woman of Faith" serves to remind us that all women of faith a) Endure real problems, b) Pray vibrant prayers, c) Experience God's provisions, d) Excel at keeping promises, e) Express their praise.

 

2. Today, anyone can become a person of faith...Even though you face many problems; if you are willing to come to God in prayerful obedience to the gospel of Christ, receive the gift of salvation provided through God's Son, remain true to your commitment to His authority as the Lord of your life, offer your life and the fruit of your lips in praise to Him, then you may be able to say with together Hannah: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord" (1 Sam. 2:1).

 

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit.

 

·       Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi (Senior Pastor).