The writer of Hebrews shared the story of the greatest heroes of our faith, showing that to live a victorious life for God here on earth, to have effective faith, we must develop determined faith. Writing to the early Christians, he said: “And what shall I say further? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts” (Hebrews 11:32-34, AMPC).
To have determined faith is to have faith with an unwavering resolve: the kind of faith that allows nothing to stand in the way or deter us from achieving whatever it is we are believing for. When our faith is determined, we can do anything God calls us to do. God’s Word is clear: Determined Faith Is Effective Faith.
The Impact of Determined Faith
In Mark 2:1-5 (AMPC), four men with determined faith lowered their friend into the presence of Jesus, and the results were miraculous!
And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter’s]. And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word. Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men. And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay. And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God].
The four friends were so determined, so resolved for their paralyzed friend to get to Jesus, they tore up the roof and lowered him into the meeting. And Jesus noticed their faith. Have you ever used your faith for someone else to receive whatever it was they needed to receive? Healing? Financial help? The restoration of a relationship? A breakthrough? Surround yourself with friends of determined faith…and be that determined, faithful friend!
So, what makes faith determined?
- When determined faith is at work, it can be seen. “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17, NKJV).
- When determined faith is at work, it produces results. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4, NKJV).
- When determined faith is at work, it is effective! “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him” (Mark 11:23, AMPC).
In 2008, Pastor George Pearsons penned A Psalm of Determination. Take it and make it your confession today!
I have made up my mind.
I have made my decision.
I have set my faith.
I am fully persuaded that I’m going to make it.
Nothing is going to stop me.
Nothing is going to hold me back.
Nothing is going to keep me down.
Nothing is going to stand in my way of the fullness of THE BLESSING.
For I am determined.
You can’t talk me out of it.
You can’t discourage me from it.
You can’t deter me from all that is mine in Christ.
For I am determined.
Undaunted, unbending, unflagging, unflinching.
No matter what happens, I am going to make it.
According to The WORD of God, I am going to make it.
For in Him, I am determined.