The Faith Hall of Fame: Can You Be Imperfect and Join?

The other day, I joined a weekly prayer call. In this meeting, my friend began the meeting by reading through a good chunk of Hebrews 11. I will not quote the chapter here; you can read it, for yourself at the provided link. If you don’t know, this chapter of the Bible is better known as “Hall of Fame” for faith-filled believers. You could not be more wrong!

First, it would help to know how faith is being defined before diving into what’s covered here and today’s podcast episode. According to Hebrews 11:1, Faith is defined as:

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the men of old gained approval.

Hebrews 11:1 [NASB]

Years ago, I have had atheists say that faith is just blind trust. This is not entirely correct. Yet, it does require trust and you don’t always get to see, before trying. Here is the missing ingredient. Trust does not operate in a vacuum. Faith requires that you take a risk and step out to discover God’s faithfulness.

Here’s another tidbit about faith that you should keep in mind. You are going to make mistakes or blow it. It happens to everyone. Do you suppose that the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 were perfect and never did something stupid? Have you ever read Exodus 4:10-13?

¹⁰ Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” ¹¹ The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” ¹³ But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”

Exodus 4:10-13 [NASB]

I suggest that you read what follows, afterward! Yet, Moses did follow through and obeyed God. He was considered faithful and counted the LORD, as faithful. From my reading of Josephus, it seems Moses had an idea of what it would take and understandably reluctant. Yet, Moses followed through with what God called him, to do. No, he was not perfect and 80 years old.

You can say the same thing about Gideon. He was rightfully afraid; however, an angel of God called Gideon, a valiant warrior! You can find Gideon’s story in Judges 6. It actually begins at Judges 6:10-14

¹¹ Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. ¹² The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” ¹³ Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” ¹⁴ The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?”

Judges 6:10-14 [NASB]

There is something that I’d like to draw your attention to, in the above quote. Did you notice how Gideon is being called a mighty warrior? Yet, it is not how Gideon saw himself. The same principle applies to you and I. God, the Father is not bothered by our limitations. In some ways, you can say that God doesn’t see them.

I can actually attest to that statement. Years ago, I participated in a 24 hour Day of Prayer. I stayed the night. I was tired and in need of breakfast. I can still recall hearing my Father say “Barry, I don’t see your disabilities.” It was a quiet still voice that I heard, internally. You can bet this statement caught me, by surprise.

You see, Jesus is more interested in our hearts and a willingness to do what God calls us, to do. Yes, God does know that I have serious physical limitations; however, my Father’s power is made perfect in my weakness. Don’t be afraid to step out in faith.