We need to ask God for the ancient paths that we may walk therein. Numerous believers are standing at the crossroads today. They are in the valley of decision because the Day of the Lord is near. They must pray carefully in order to perceive the path that leads to the Lord. The correct fork to take is not always apparent.

When we read the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews we discover what it truly means to live by faith. It is a way of patient obedience to the Lord, often accompanied by suffering. We need to accept the discipline of patient suffering because America may well be heading toward severe problems.

The Christians are not being taught to keep the commandments of Christ and His Apostles, to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus. In many cases they are not presenting their body to God as a living sacrifice that they may prove His will. Thus the "salt" of America is losing its flavor.

The American believer is not always given to understand that the Christian salvation, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, is a hope for the future. It is not pointed toward having a successful, pleasant life in the present world. If in the days to come we of America face great suffering, we may need to have a firm grasp on our hope of the coming of the Kingdom, rather than being completely occupied with how Jesus Christ is going to make us happy today.

We have lost the strength of the patriarchs and apostles and we need to regain it so we can stand and give a true testimony of Christ during the dark days ahead.

Why don't we take a look at the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews and see what God says about how the just live by faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1—NIV)

Here we observe the futuristic aspect of true faith. It is a hope for the future. It is a certainty that the things God has shown us in His Word, and personally, will be given to us if we keep looking to Him and doing His will. This is how the righteous always have lived and always shall live.

Sometimes there is a long period of time between what we are hoping for in God and the fulfillment of our desire. It is during this waiting that the saints are formed. The individual who must have what he desires right now, and tries to use "faith" to get it, does not understand what faith is and will not make a success of the Christian life.

This is what the ancients were commended for. (Hebrews 11:2—NIV)

From the above verse we see that the saints of old were commended for their faith. This means God judged them to be righteous on the basis of faith. So the idea of being justified by faith is not restricted to the new covenant.

To be continued.