The Prophets Remained Faithful
And We Can Too
By Hollie Roberts — BSF Executive Director
God’s call to be a Teaching Leader was so clear. Yet just three weeks into the new role, I was questioning my abilities with a trusted friend. I hoped she would say, “Hollie, you are doing just fine.” Instead she said, “That is not yours to judge. You are simply asked to be faithful to God’s call and trust that He will work in you and through you.” I was stunned, yet I needed the clarity and honesty of her words.
I will never forget the freedom of confessing, “Lord, I know that I am not enough, but You are.” That simple prayer gave me the courage to trust Almighty God in my weakness. To this day, I echo those words often.
When we surrender our lives to Christ, we commit to go where He leads and act as He directs. But sometimes God’s call can feel overwhelming. Is He really asking me to surrender my comfort? Does He honestly expect me to sacrifice my time, money, or relationships? God’s call on our lives often strains the limits of our faith and our abilities.
We are challenged to ask, “How far will I go? Am I willing to let God disrupt my ordinary life to pursue His extraordinary purpose?”
As we consider these difficult questions, we find hope and courage in the lives of the Old Testament prophets.
How far will I go? Am I willing to let God disrupt my ordinary life to pursue His extraordinary purpose?
They found hope in God’s character
Through men like Elijah, Hosea, Isaiah, and their contemporaries, we discover that God gave these faithful servants a humanly impossible task —to preach repentance to a people who refused to repent.
How did these men find hope in a season that seemed hopeless?
They relied on God’s character instead of their own.
In choosing Isaiah, God asked him to leave a life of prosperity and influence to embrace the call to preach and, in turn, to suffer. In Isaiah 6, when God asked, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me!” When Isaiah asked, “For how long, Lord?” God responded, “… until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.”
From a worldly perspective, Isaiah’s ministry was impossible. But Isaiah’s hope stretched beyond his circumstances. He trusted God’s Word because He knew God’s character. God said, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4). And Isaiah believed.
Though the Israelites did not repent, God used Isaiah’s work to strengthen and encourage His people for generations. Thousands of years later, God is still using the book of Isaiah to change the hearts and minds of those who read it.
God does not call His people to empty work, even when we struggle to understand His purpose.
God does not call His people to empty work, even when we struggle to understand His purpose. When we face a seemingly impossible task, God simply asks us to respond in faith, “Here am I. Send me!”
When we cling to God’s character, He offers hope. He promises to sustain and carry His people.
They found courage in God’s Word
Several years into my role as a Teaching Leader, I experienced an incredibly difficult year. It was one of those seasons when life seemed to unravel one thread at a time. I thought, “If God’s call is going to be this difficult, I want out.” Like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4, I prayed, “I have had enough, Lord.”
In Elijah’s desperation, God spoke with a whisper, and Elijah found courage in the Word of the Lord. When God spoke to Elijah, He revealed a plan that stretched beyond Elijah’s circumstances—a plan to inspire a new generation of prophets. Elijah’s mission did not change. He was still hunted and despised. He was still called to preach to a rebellious nation. But Elijah’s perspective changed—as He trusted God’s Word to sustain him.
Through the prophets, we see this again and again. When Jeremiah said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young,” God responded, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:6, 8). God faithfully established Jeremiah’s confidence.
We find that God’s call still stretches the limits of our faith.
Maybe you can relate. During that difficult season years ago, I turned to God’s Word for comfort. Through Scripture, God gave me even more—I found courage. Through those painful circumstances, God prepared me to serve in a role I never expected—as BSF’s Executive Director. Once again, God affirmed that He never wastes our struggles.
As we look forward to our study of John, we find that God’s call still stretches the limits of our faith. But the words of Jesus give us hope and courage: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
With your BSF group this year, you have studied God’s character through the words and lives of His prophets. Where have you found hope? Where do you need courage? I pray that together we will be people who faithfully respond to God’s call. A people who say, “Here am I. Send me!”
Hollie Roberts
BSF Executive Director
Hollie Roberts stepped into the Executive Director role in September 2021 after serving as BSF’s Chief Field Development Officer. Hollie and her husband Kevin have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
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Thank you Hollie for your words of encouragement. I thank you and the BSF staff for this year’s lesson in the OT. The lessons left me with a renewed perspective of the prophets – God’s messengers and of our Father God. I now truly see Gods Faithfulness from Genesis to Revelation to those who call upon His Name. He always had a plan for saving n restoring us unto himself. Thank You Thank You – I am truly Humbled. Praise God and Bless His Name. Amen
Thank you for this important message. God never abandons us and nothing that happens is a surprise to Him. He is already in it 🙏❤️. Very rough year for my family and I too ~lots of medical issues. But He has provided skilled medical professionals to guide us through these times. Thank you Heavenly Father for your grace and mercy.
Thank you Hollie for sharing these timeless truths! They spoke to me directly as has this years study of the prophets. The last 2 years have been extremely challenging for me with various physical challenges ( knee replacement surgery, skin cancer, a 6 month battle with severe gastritis, and total reverse shoulder replacement ). All while serving as BSF CL.
BUT GOD has been so faithful!! He has drawn me into a deeper relationship with Himself and I can say without hesitation “Here I am, Lord! Send me!” Praising our Good Father!
I am a member of a group that is led by an awesome leader.The weekly fellowship is so god as we learn from each othe and feels comforted as we not only do the lessons but share our cares and concerns and feels so much love and compassion from our members as we pray for each other.
The lessons are so interesting as we learn to dig deeper into Hod words and is able to apply it to our daily lives.
Through this study I have learnt so much about who God is,His unfailing love compassion His sovereignty and His Will and purpose.I have learnt about suffering and also Gods wrath.I have also learnt to trust him and I am more conscious of His presence with me.I continually Thank God for BSF and it’s founders for the work they are doing in kingdom building here on this planet.
Through the experiences of the prophets, I am encouraged to forge ahead God will accomplish His purposes for calling to serve even in old age as Isaiah 46:4 He is Faithful to draw my nephew who left home and we don’t know where he is we are praying for his return back to God and to us.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I often feel inadequate, but you have reminded me, I can do nothing on my own but God can do the impossible. I have to let Him work through me and trust in Him. This year has been intense and rewarding.
The tough times in.my life, and there were many, made me who I am today. It also helped me see how much I needed Jesus and make me realize I couldn’t handle life in my own strength. Now I remember that God has a plan for my life and is in control. I have never had the peace I have today because I know I am weak but God who is always with me is strong and helps me do whatever He asks me to do. Praise God!
Amen. Amen!!! Thank you for serving God and His call. In walking a very difficult journey at this time, this post and the whole semester really, have been so encouraging and have helped me to endure and hold on. Thank you. May God be lifted up.
Thanks Hollie for the encouraging testimony. I have also benefited from the good service you have done at BSF.
I will take heed of these wonderful teachings found in the Prophets and apply them in my daily living.
Continue the good work and may the Lord bless you richly.
I am encouraged by your testimony about the point where you felt at your end and turned to God’s word for comfort and how God used you even in that difficult period. Indeed God’s word is our comfort and the prophets are a great encouragement and example of total surrender. The Lord bless you for the great work you are doing at BSF which has turned many to God’s word for comfort.
What an inspiring testimony God is so patient with us and never stops pursuing us ain’t that good news.We are to stay focused on Him and keep trusting and believing in the good and bad times.
Thank you for the reminder to find courage in God’s Word. Thank you all for your yes to God’s calling to serve Him in BSF.
God’s plan and purpose is different for each of us, and sometimes He calls us to step into a work He has prepared, and sometimes He calls us out from a work we love. But anyway, the goal is to trust Him, obey Him, and surrender to His will, no matter what. I am in the letting go process and realize God is enough, His grace is enough, and when nothing remains – health, job – I can rejoice because He is still with me.
From Isaiah, I have learned that God’s calling is countercultural, unexpected but purposefully provided in every way. Though we might not have a problem-free service, we can rely on God to equip us for what He has called us to do. Even rest at His feet and listen to His Word of comfort.
From Elijah, I have learned that serving God might ask us to display God’s power and might with great trust amidst challenges, but it can include times we need to rest and rely completely on God’s providence because we have no strength, no energy, and feel fearful and alone. Wow – God sees us and knows us and cares for us in each step while growing and strengthening our faith and trust, so we surrender completely and rejoice with HIM, no matter what we are going through. In hardship and need or in riches, we are blessed anyway because He calls us His own. Be richly blessed
I’m attending a wonderful class at First Baptist in Richmond, , Ky. Our last class will be Thursday, May 11. Our leader ask if any of us would like to share our experience & what we’ve learned during our Bible Study Class, this year. I would love to be a part of the Share Day. Could you please put me in contact with the correct person that I need to speak with about sharing my story? Thank you.
Dear Katrina, your Group Leader can provide more information! Your entire class should be participating in the share day
Thank you so much for being an instrument of our Lord. Thank you for encouraging us and for your service
Studying the Prophets was difficult, but brought me to a deeper faith and trust in our loving and gracious God.
Thanks you for all the great work that you are doing. These lessons have really helped me preserve doing my cancer treatment. Looking forward to John’s Study.