Genuinely Faithful In God

"The life of faith is continually renewed victory over doubt, a continually renewed grasp of meaning in the midst of meaninglessness."  - L. Newbigin

Tests. It seems like we have been facing them all of our lives. They are a given during our school years. Who doesn't remember staying up late into the night studying for a test the next morning? Our first attempts at establishing relationships with others can test our emotions, and mettle.

As parents our patience is tested, right along with our nerves! Other tests we might encounter involve our motor skills, eyesight, hearing, even our aptitude when applying for employment. Obviously, we could go on almost indefinitely with various examples.

There is one particular test, however, that I didn't mention on purpose. It appears most frequently during times of stress or upheaval. A sudden, life-threatening illness or medical emergency. The loss of a spouse, parent, or child. Loss of a job with no immediate prospects of securing another. The end of a marriage or personal relationship with a significant other.

What these situations have in common is that they test our faith, among other things. One need only open their Bible to find example after example of the faithfulness of some of its most notable characters being tested. For instance, David petitioned God to examine his heart and mind in regards to his faithfulness to Him (Psalm 26:2; 139:23).

Abraham (Abram) was tested by God when he was asked to sacrifice his own son Isaac, He obeyed (Hebrews 11:17–19); thus demonstrating to all that he truly is the father of faith (Romans 4:16). As you can see, true believers in God are no strangers to being tested in their faith.

Persons who are genuinely faithful, such as those mentioned above, exhibit certain characteristics which allow them to weather the storms of strife in life. I'll list a few of these for you. Feel free to compare them against your own faith.

A faithful person:

1. truly believes that God is supremely in control of his or her life. In other words, though we may think we are masters of our own destiny, it is God who holds the reins in His hands. We go where He leads us.
2. has only one loyalty or one object of faith, and that is Jesus Christ. It is key to stay focused on God even though the view may be murky, and the situation shaky.
3. will learn to worship God even during difficult circumstances. There are times when it would be very easy to blame God or distance yourself from Him. Don't! (See #2)

When the bottom drops out of our lives we realize just how faithful we either are, or aren't. God presents these opportunities to strengthen. not harm us. Faith in God will not grow if it isn't tested in the battlefield of life.

A lukewarm faith will fold like a house of cards. Only a strong, tempered faith, forged in the fires of life's most difficult events is what God desires for us. Nothing else will do.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14; Proverbs 17:3; Acts 14:22; Philippians 4:6-7; Philippians 4:6-7 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank You for being with me always and loving me. You are in control of all things and I thank You for that.  May I never lose heart on seeing the circumstances. Strengthen my faith through which alone I can receive miracles from You. Amen

May God bless you!

Joyce