Hello, everyone! I am back with another unique episode, covering the topic of faith. I'm trying my best to provide my listeners with topics that are interesting to hear about and if I'm not offering enough, please let me know! I want to produce the best kind of Christian podcast there is around and with your help, I believe I could make that happen.

(The original episode was created on: November 17, 2021)

**Summary Transcripts for this episode are ONLY Available at this time:

**Duration:** 0:01 – 9:11

## Introduction: What Does Faith Do? **(0:01)**

Autumn J. Rountree opens this special episode of the podcast *Let’s Focus on God* by exploring the impact of faith in the believer's life. She references sources like PraisePhilly.com and Christianity.com that highlight how faith brings salvation, answers to prayer, healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy, and liberation. It is also explained that faith builds, obeys, blesses, longs for, and worships. With this as a foundation, three biblical accounts are presented to illustrate how faith transforms lives.

## The Faith of King Nebuchadnezzar Influenced by Daniel **(0:50)**

The first account revolves around King Nebuchadnezzar and his relationship with Daniel and his Israeli friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), renamed as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In the book of Daniel (chapter 1, verses 3–7), the king assigns them tasks related to his food and wine.

Later, Nebuchadnezzar builds a golden statue and imposes its worship (Daniel 3:1–22). When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship it, they are thrown into a fiery furnace but emerge unscathed due to their faith in God. This miracle changes the king's perspective, leading him to praise the God of Israel and issue a decree demanding respect for Him (Daniel 3:25–29; 4:1–3).

Subsequently, the king has a disturbing dream that only Daniel (Belteshazzar) can interpret: Nebuchadnezzar will become like an animal and eat grass like cattle for seven years as divine punishment (Daniel 4:8–33). At the end of this period, the king regains his sanity, praises God, and acknowledges His eternal dominion (Daniel 4:34–37). Thus, Daniel inspires a profound transformation in the king, based on faith and obedience to God.

## The Brave Faith of Gideon **(5:32)**

The second account is about Gideon, a judge of Israel who initially doubts but whose faith grows through a series of signs and actions. An angel persuades him to fight against the Midianites (Judges 6:12, 20–21). His first act of faith is to destroy the altar of Baal with ten servants, enraging the townspeople, but they cannot harm him because Baal does not intervene (Judges 6:27–33).

God continues to strengthen Gideon's faith through signs with a fleece (Judges 6:36–40). He then guides him in selecting soldiers and empowers him to defeat the enemy. Gideon captures two Midianite princes and destroys the tower of Peniel, killing their men (Judges 7:4–25; 8:4–23). He rejects the offer to be king and attributes all glory to God, reaffirming that only the Lord should rule over Israel.

## The Restored Faith of Jonah **(7:35)**

The final account focuses on Jonah, whom God commands to preach in Nineveh. Jonah disobeys and flees on a ship (Jonah 1:1–3), fearing the potential violent reaction of the people. In the midst of a storm, Jonah takes responsibility and suggests being thrown into the sea, showing an act of faith and sacrifice (Jonah 1:5–15).

A great fish swallows him, and during three days and nights inside, Jonah reflects, repents, and prays to God (Jonah 1:17; 2:2–9). God frees him and gives him a second chance (Jonah 2:10; 3:1–2). This time, Jonah fulfills his mission, preaches in Nineveh, and leads the city to repent of its wickedness (Jonah 3:3–10). His faith, strengthened through trial, transforms an entire city.

## Conclusion and Final Message **(9:02)**

Autumn concludes the episode by reiterating that her goal is to share uplifting themes that honor the Word of God and strengthen Christian faith. She invites listeners to support the podcast through contributions and to send comments, suggestions, or testimonies via Anchor.fm or her email: focusonthispodcast.com.

## Final Summary: This special episode highlights how faith can transform the lives of kings, judges, and prophets. Through the stories of Nebuchadnezzar, Gideon, and Jonah, it shows that faith not only guides to personal salvation but can also collectively impact entire nations.