A Portrait of Living Faith
By Faith -19 TITLE: A Portrait of Living Faith TEXT: Hebrews 11:32; 1Samuel THESIS: Samuel’s life teaches us that genuine faith is not merely professed; it is practiced through attentive listening, courageous obedience, and persistent intercession. TRUTH: On May 11, 1685, in Wigtown, Scotland, two ordinary believers -Margret Mclachlan, an older widow, and Margret Wilson, about eighteen years old -were taken to the edge of ocean, where the tides rolled in and were tied to stakes. Their offense was refusing an oath that would have acknowledged the kings authority over Christ’s church. The older woman was placed farther out so that the younger Margaret would watch as the water claimed the older woman first and perhaps surrender. As the tide advanced, Margret was given repeated opportunities to save her life by compromising her confession. She refused. She could not know whether a pardon would arrive, whether the authorities would r...