Faith - A Strengthening Quality - RIGHT HEART CONDITION NECESSARY

Since faith is based on evidence, to have faith a person  must first acquire "an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)  But that is not enough.  The apostle Paul wrote: "With the heart, one exercises faith."  (Romans 10:10)  A person must not only believe the truth but also value it.  Only the will he be motivated to exercise faith, that is, to act in harmony with the truth.  ( James 2:20)  A person who does not have heartfelt gratitude for the truth may reject even convincing  evidence if he stubbornly hold to preconceived ideas or seeks to excuse his fleshly desires.  (2 Peter 3:3, 4; Jude 1 8)  This is why in Bible times, not all who witnesses miracles developed faith.  (Numbers 14:11; John 12:37)  God's holy spirit produces faith only in people whose heart favors the truth over lies. - GALATIANS 5:22; 2 THESSALONIANS 2:10, 11) 

HOW DAVID DEVELOPED STRONG FAITH

Among those who had outstanding faith was King David. (Hebrews 11:32, 33)  However, not everyone in David's family had such faith.   For example, on one occasion, Eliab, David's oldest brother, showed a lack of faith when he rebuked David for his concern about Goliath's challenge.  ( 1 Samuel 17:26-28)  No one is born with faith, nor does anyone inherit faith from his parents, so David's faith was a result of his own relationship with God.

In Psalm 27, David reveals how he came to have such strong faith. (Vs. 1) David Meditated on his past  experiences and on how Jehovah had dealt with his adversaries.  (Vss. 2, 3) He deeply appreciated Jehovah's arrangement for worship. (Vs4)  David worshipped God along with fellow believers at the tabernacle. (Vs. 6) He earnestly sought out Jehovah in prayer.. (Vss. 7, 8)  David also wanted to be  instructed in God's way. (Vs. 11)  So important was the quality to David that he rhetorically asked: "Where would I be if I did not have faith?" - Vs. 13. 

Next time: Faith -A Strengthening Quality - HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

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