Through our understanding of the Scriptures, we acknowledge the need for strong faith in God. The Hebrew writer clearly stated, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
There are times
when our faith is tested. As we face adversity from the various storms of life,
our faith is tested. When our health begins to fail, our faith is tested. When
expenses are high or our funding is low, our faith is tested. When we look at
our culture and see it drifting further away from God, our faith is tested.
The question we
raise is, “How do we maintain our faith during these troubled times?”
Fortunately, God has taught us in His word not only how to have faith, but how
to keep it strong during the times of testing.
First, we
remember the power of our God. God promised Abraham that he would have a son by
his wife Sarah. Sarah was passed the age of childbearing and laughed within
herself concerning God’s promise. The Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh,
saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is there anything too
hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13-14). Truly, there is nothing too hard for
God to accomplish. We continue reading in Genesis and see that God fulfilled
His promise with the birth of Isaac.
No matter what
situation we find ourselves in or what obstacle we face, there is nothing too
great for our God to solve and conquer. Paul wrote, “Now to Him who is able to
do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20). We
must never put limits on what our God is able to do. No matter our situation,
our God is always in control.
Second, we can
keep our faith strong by remembering all the obstacles that God has already
brought us through. This was the strategy of David before fighting against
Goliath. He remembered that God delivered him from the lion and bear when he
was tending his father’s sheep. Then he looked toward the giant and declared
that he would be like the lion and bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
No matter what
we are facing in life, we can all think back and remember problems we had in
the past. Furthermore, we remember how God brought us through those times. It
is through this we can have the faith and the courage to keep moving forward.
Remember the words of faith spoken by Habakkuk.
“Though the
fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the
olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off
from the fold, and there be no heard in the stalls – yet I will rejoice I the
Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He
will make my fee like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”
(Hab. 3:17-19)
God Bless each
of you,
Eric Hicks
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